HP CM for increasing slot of local bulletin on AIR

Shimla, Apr 6: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal has requested the Central Government to increase the time slot of 1950 hrs radio news for existing 10 to 15 minutes, keeping in view the large listenership of the main news. This was disclosed by Chief Minister while interacting with Mr BS Lalli, Chief Executive Officer of Prasar Bharti, who had called on him here on Friday.

Mr Dhumal said keeping in view the difficult topographic conditions and in order to ensure greater coverage of Radio and Doordarshan, FM network needed to be strengthened. He said for increasing the coverage and also to enhance reception quality, more Low Power FM Transmitters were needed to be installed in the State. He said to cater to the needs of the people residing in tribal and far-flung areas, at least 30 more FM Radio LPTs should be installed in these areas.

He said the DTH network was the biggest in the country, but the Doordarshan Kendra Shimla was still not available through it and added that it should also be brought under the fold of DTH to ensure wider coverage of Doordarshan Programmes.

Mr Lalli apprised the Chief Minister that objectivity and accuracy of Prasar Bharti was the best in the country as well as the state. He said DD and AIR News have been ranked number one in the entire country in terms of viewership and credibility. Mr JR Katwal, Director, Information and Public Relations was also present on the occasion.

UNI