Union Information and Broadcasting minister M Venkaiah Naidu said that Doordarshan and Akashwani will expand its base in the state and will even go to Nepal by setting up more FM stations and starting programmes on local and regional languages.
“Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has suggested live coverage of the Assembly session by Doordarshan and to start programme on Brij, Bhojpur and Awadhi languages on Akashwani and Doordarshan. My ministry has accepted the CM’s suggestions,” Naidu said.
The Union minister, who held a review meeting with officials of Doordarshan and Akashwani in lucknow on Friday, made it clear that the agencies would be promoted in a bigger way.
“We are launching the DD Kisan channel which will benefit the farmers while the number of FM channels would also be increased in the state,” he said.
Claiming that Akashwani has become popular after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘ Maan Ki Baat’ and people in villages and in cities have started purchasing transistors, the Union minister said that now efforts would be made so that Akashwani and Doordarshan programmes were visible in areas of Nepal adjoining UP.
It may be mentioned here that Naidu also gave a new meaning of MODI saying that it meant “ Making of Developed India.” He added that Doordashan has been asked to work on a proposal for live telecast of UP Assembly proceedings.
On Yogi Adityanath’s demand setting up a film institute in UP after the state was adjudged the best destination for film making recently, Naidu said that the project will take time but he will make serious effort so that Pune Film Institute sets up a branch in UP.
To a question on some banned channels were airing visuals in Jammu and Kashmir, Naidu said that action has to be taken by respective district magistrates. “We have reviewed it and asked for taking strong action and will monitor it,” he said.
To a question on whether there was any move to give pension to victims of triple talaq, the Union minister said that the issue was not connected to pension but was a social problem.
“The entire society should work to find a solution and our stand is known. There should be no discrimination with anyone on religious grounds. Soon a decision will be given by the apex court in this regard,” Naidu hoped.