Date: 06/01/2023

Relevance: GS-2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation

Key Phrases: Broadcasting Infrastructure and Network Development (BIND), Prasar Bharati, Doordarshan, All India Radio, the public broadcaster, DTH set-top boxes, DD ArunPrabha Channel.

Why in News?

• The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved the “Broadcasting Infrastructure and Network Development (BIND)” scheme with an outlay of ₹2,539.61 crore up to 2025-26, paving the way for upgrade and expansion of the public service broadcasting infrastructure across the country.

Prasar Bharati:

• Prasar Bharati is a public service broadcaster in India, that was established by the Prasar Bharati (Broadcast Corporation of India) Act of 1990 (enacted in 1997).
• It is an autonomous body that operates Doordarshan and All India Radio, two of the largest media organizations in the country.
• Prasar Bharati is responsible for the distribution of television and radio signals throughout India and the production of television and radio programming.
• The organization aims to provide impartial, accurate, and comprehensive news and information to the public, and to promote cultural diversity and national integration.
• Prasar Bharati also plays a crucial role in promoting Indian culture and heritage through its various programming initiatives.

Significance of the scheme:

• Upgradation of Infrastructure:
  • The BIND scheme will enable the public broadcaster to undertake a major upgrade of its facilities with better infrastructure which will widen its reach and provide high-quality content to the viewers,” said the government in a statement.
• DTH:
  • As a result of the scheme, FM of All India Radio is expected to cover over 80% of the country’s population, while eight lakh Doordarshan Free Dish DTH set-top boxes will be distributed to people living in the remote, tribal, and border areas, aspirational districts, and the Left-Wing Extremism infested zones.
• Diverse content:
  • A key priority area of the scheme is the development of high-quality content for both domestic and international audiences and to ensure the availability of diverse content to the viewers by upgrading the capacity of the DTH platform to accommodate more channels.
• HD-ready:
  • Purchase of OB [outside broadcasting] vans and digital upgrade of DD and AIR studios to make them HD-ready will also be done as part of the project.
• Coverage:
  • Currently, Doordarshan operates 36 TV channels, including 28 regional ones, and All India Radio operates over 500 broadcasting centres.
  • The scheme will increase the coverage of AIR FM transmitters in the country to 66% by geographical area and 80% by population, up from 59% and 68% respectively.
  • Besides 10 KW FM transmitters would be set up along Indo-Nepal Border while 10 KW FM transmitters would be set up in J&K Border. These will significantly improve the Radio and TV coverage along the border areas.
• Employment opportunities:
  • The initiative is also projected to generate indirect employment by way of manufacturing and services related to the supply and installation of broadcast equipment.
  • Content generation and content innovation for AIR and DD has the potential of indirect employment of persons with varied experience in different media fields.
  • The expansion of the reach of DD Free Dish was also expected to generate employment in the manufacturing of DTH boxes.
• North-East aspirations:
  • The cabinet also approved the launch of DD ArunPrabha Channel from Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh to fulfill the aspirations of the people of the North East Region.

Conclusion:

• In a democratic country like India, the basic objective of a National or Public Service Broadcaster is to strengthen the democratic process by providing information, and promoting debate and discussions on all the main issues.
• A National Broadcaster has great strategic significance in emergency situations like natural calamities, war, etc.
• The BIND scheme's implementation will expand Prasar Bharti's reach and give its services more momentum, which will in turn strengthen the democracy of the country.

Source: The Hindu

Mains Question:

Q. Discuss the significance of the “Broadcasting Infrastructure and Network Development (BIND)” scheme.