Tuki asks Centre to bolster DD, AIR in Arunachal

Source: Times of India, Guwahati

TNN | Sep 19, 2012, 10.26PM IST

 

ITANAGAR: Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Nabam Tuki has urged the Centre to strengthen mass information mediums like Doordarshan and All India Radio in the state.

Tuki, who called on Union minister for information & broadcasting Ambika Soni in New Delhi on Tuesday, discussed various issues pertaining to strengthening the system of broadcasting and dissemination of information through government-owned mass media, officials said here on Wednesday.

Tuki was accompanied by Lok Sabha MP Ninong Ering.

Reiterating his vision to have a strong broadcasting system in the state, Tuki suggested upgrading and systematizing communication mediums like DD and AIR that play an important role in bridging the gap between the government and citizens.

While appreciating the enthusiasm of the chief minister, Soni assured to give top priority to strengthen the network and work efficiency of DD and AIR in Arunachal Pradesh. Besides upgrading equipment and the broadcasting system in the existing centers, she assured him of deploying adequate staff to man these centers, a source said.

She also accepted to strengthen the transmission reach of DD and AIR by opening new centers and viable locations in the state.

On Tuki's suggestion, the Union minister admitted the need to re-introduce installation and provision of Community Listening Sets in a state like Arunachal Pradesh, where the reach of mass media is still limited to countable towns. Soni also accepted in principle to establish an office of the Press Bureau of India in Itanagar.

Tuki, who expressed interest in constituting a film division of the state to promote documentation of the rich cultural heritage of various tribes inhabiting the state, sought cooperation from the Union ministry. Soni assured him of full support and cooperation in this connection and insisted on organizing national and regional level film festivals in Arunachal Pradesh. The Union minister appreciated the chief minister's thought to have a dedicated 24-hour satellite channel for the state and offered cooperation to initiate the proposal.

Link: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/Tuki-asks-Centre-to-bolster-DD-AIR-in-Arunachal/articleshow/16466462.cms