NEW DELHI: Prasar Bharati is to get an allocation of Rs 53.97 billion for hardware schemes of Doordarshan and All India Radio in the 12th Plan, though these schemes are yet to be approved.

Prasar Bharati sources told indiantelevision.com that Rs 29.5 billion is for new schemes and Rs 24.47 billion for continuing ones.

But the Government has clarified that there are no immediate plans of expansion of Doordarshan coverage through new transmitters, except for setting up a few in border areas.

A total of Rs 2.42 billion was spent on 1415 Doordarshan transmitters (relay centres) up to October 2012 during 2012-13, DD sources told indiantelevision.com.

Information and Broadcasting Ministry sources said a total of Rs 3.71 billion had been spent in 2011-12, Rs 3.66 billion in 2011-11, and Rs 2.86 billion in 2009-10.

These centres transmit 33 satellite channels, five All India channels, 11 regional channels, 16 state networks, one international and one HD channel.

A total of 41 low power transmitters including transmitters in tribal areas are being used only for partial transmission due to staff constraints, the sources said.

A total of six proposals had been received in 1009-10 for new Doordarshan kendras and five for new transmitters. While there has been no fresh request for new kendras, requests were received in 2010-11 for one transmitters, and three in 2011-12 from state governments.

Doordarshan at present covers 92 per cent of the population in terrestrial mode spread over 81 per cent of the area. All the areas uncovered by terrestrial mode have been provided with multi-channel TV coverage through Doordarshan?s free-to-air DD Direct Plus and free connections with TV sets have been provided in some areas like the northeast and Jammu and Kashmir.

NEW DELHI: AK Jain, the beleaguered Member (Finance) in the Prasar Bharati Board, has sought protection against his victimisation by the Board for pointing out irregularities in the functioning of the pubcaster.

Jain made this plea when he had been summoned to tender evidence in the inquiry being conducted by the Supreme Court into the functioning of former CEO BS Lalli.

The inquiry is being conducted in the Registry of the apex court which has already heard evidence of Member (Personnel) and is currently hearing the evidence being tendered by some personnel dealing with Sports. It is learnt that Jain placed documents on record to show financial and administrative irregularities on various issues.

The five allegations established by Central Vigilance Commission relate to contracts for management of advertisement revenue arising from the telecast of cricket matches on Doordarshan during 2007; the non-telecast by Doordarshan of T-20 cricket World Cup matches held in South Africa in September 2007; engagement of legal entities to represent Prasar Bharati; purchase of Radio Broadcasting Rights for 13 cricket series held during 2007-09; and hiring of transport and accommodation for the conduct of the Commonwealth Youth Games in Pune in 2008.

Lalli had been suspended on 22 December 2010 following a detailed inquiry by a Supreme Court judge into financial irregularities by him.

President Pratibha Devisingh Patil gave her approval on 21 December 2010 to a reference in this regard sent by the Information and Broadcasting Ministry through the Prime Minister?s office. The President had earlier the same month accepted a reference from the Prime Minister for an inquiry against Lalli, and directed that a Supreme Court judge be appointed for this purpose.

Lalli, who became CEO in December 2006, is a 1971 batch officer of the Indian Administrative Service from Uttar Pradesh. He had succeeded KS Sarma, who had completed his term in June 2006.