The Joranda Radio Station, inaugurated by former Union Information and Broad- casting Minister KP Singh Deo on October 3, 1995, is set to be closed soon.
located about 24 km from Dhenkanal township, the station’s building stands over 3.5 acres land and it was built at Rs 10 crore.
Interestingly Prime Minister Narendra Modi, when chooses radio as the best media for his ‘man ki bat’ programme to reach largest numbers of people at the grassroots and farmers depend more on radio for Krushi Samachar, reportedly the Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry instead of upgrading on the 22 years successfully functioning radio rations to FM category, has decided to wind it up.
Responding to several petitions from cultural organizations, journalists associations, senior citizens forums, literacy organizations, local chamber of commerce, Bar association, Mahima saints and local PRI members, Union Minister of State (I/C) Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan had written a letter to Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting requesting not to close the Joranda Radio Station.
Pradhan in his letter has cited that, the AIR Station Joranda, founded in 1995, is playing an important role for socio-political and economic development of local talents. The Dhenkanal and Joranda residents largely depend on the station for information dissemination. Besides, the station has been instrumental in promoting the message of humanity from the spiritual history of Mahima cult, which preaches to set up a classless society fighting against untouchability, casteism and blind beliefs. The possible closure of the station has hurt people of all walks of life here.
Replying to the letter of the Union Petroleum Minister, reportedly Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardan Singh Rathore in his letter has assured to look to the matter. Earlier one S Hyder, Director of Engineering (FM) for Director General, AIR, had released a notification on 20.07.14 to replace 1KWMW transmitters by 1KWVHF FM solid state broadcasting transmitter at four AIR stations, including Kinnauor (Kalpa) HP, Joranda (Odisha), Soro (Odisha) and Almora (Uttarkhand) under the 12th Plan.
But, surprisingly the upgradation plan of the Joranda Radio Station has fallen flat and it is now set for closure for unknown reasons. Replying to query sought by one Jitendra Kumar Panda of village Ambabahal, Dhenkanal, Assistant Director of Programme (PP and I) for DG AIR, Ashok Balooni said the Joranda Radio Station is to be closed. But the closure date has not yet been finalized.
Meanwhile, the Manager (A and C) in a confidential letter has directed the Assistant Director, AIR, Joranda, to negotiate with the State Government for disposal of land building and residential quarters of the station. Such attempt of Prasar Bharati has harassed the local women, children, youths, farmers, senior citizens, literary bodies and cultural organizations of the district.
On the condition of anonymity, an official of Joranda Radio Station, said that the station was broadcasting own local programme only for 5 hours a day on the support of eight permanent employees and 18 casual employees and replaying other programmes for ten hour and 32 minutes. Without expanding and upgrading the radio station in last 22 year, it is unfortunate that the Prasar Bharati is expecting more revenue from the Joranda station, which may be a reason of its closure.