Around Rs seven lakh spent on DD India in 2015-16: Rathore

Around Rs seven lakh spent on DD India in 2015-16: Rathore

Rajyavardhan Rathore

NEW DELHI: While saying that no deadline had been fixed for restructuring Prasar Bharati, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore said Rs 6.46 lakh was allotted in the year 2015-16 for programming of DD India which was used for normal production activities.

He told the Rajya Sabha today that no fund was allotted specifically for re-launching of DD-India and so no expenditure was incurred on this account.

He said DD India was launched on 14 March 1995. It was initially known as DD World and renamed as DD India in 2000. The channel reaches 38 countries at present.

He said the affairs of Prasar Bharati are conducted under the provisions of Prasar Bharati Act 1990 which essentially aims to confer autonomy upon the organization.

Adequate provision has been made in the Act itself to make Prasar Bharati accountable. Prasar Bharati is accountable to the Parliament through its various Committees and laying of its annual accounts and annual reports as also through various questions raised in the Parliament.

The Prasar Bharati Board, apart from Chairman and three whole time members, comprises of six part time members and other ex-officio members and the Board is empowered to take all decisions as per provision of Prasar Bharati Act 1990.