Document text
[28 November, 2005] RAJYA SABHA
government can waive/modify the condition No. (i) above on a-case-by-
case basis. For the purpose of the downlinking guidelines, any channel
which has any element of news and current affairs in its programme
content, will be deemed to be a news and current affairs channel
Ban on smoking scenes in films
533. SHRI K. RAMA MOHANA RAO: Will the Minister of
INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state:
(a) whether it is a fact that his Ministry is putting pressure on the Ministry
of Health and Family Welfare to ease ban on smoking scenes in the
films;
{b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the reasons therefor?
THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING (SHRI
PRIYARANJAN DASMUNSI): (a) No, Sir.
(b) Does not arise.
(c) Easing of the ban has not been requested. However, the Ministry
of Health and Family Welfare have been requested to look into some of
the implementational aspects of the notification in the light of the
reservations expressed by the film industry. The matter is also subjudice
as a case has been filed against the notification in the High Court of
Delhi.
FM channels for teaching students
534. SHRI K. RAMA MOHANA RAO: Will the Minister of
INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state:
(a) whether there is any plan before his Ministry to have inclusive FM
Channels for teaching students in the remote areas of the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) if not, whether Government would think of having such a facility
which will immensely help the students, particularty in the rural, remote
and far flung areas to reply their queries and also helps by way of having
on-air classrooms?
i29
RAJYA SABHA [28 November, 2005]
THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING (SHRI
PRIYARANJAN DASMUNS)): (a) to (c) The Government has already
allocated one FM Channel each at 40 places to IGNOU for setting up FM
Radio Station for educational broadcast. Out of these 7 channels have
become operationai at Bhopal, Coimbatore, Vishakhapatnam, Lucknow,
Mumbai, Allahabad, Bangalore, Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Varanasi, |
Shillong, Guwahati, Raipur, Hyderabad, Jabalpur and Mysore. The Indira
Gandhi Open University, a statutory body under the aegis of the Ministry
of Human Resource Development on these stations has launched
GyanVani, a "Radio co-operative” devoted exclusively to education and
community development. These inter-active, participatory educational
stations are aimed at greater empowerment of the people, particularly
the disadvantage sections of the Society located in the remote and distant
areas of the country. Gyan Vani programmes include information relevant
to students of pre-primary, primary, secondary and higher secondary
classes, as well as enrichment programmes to build environmental
awareness, women's empowerment, legal literacy, professional education
and science education. The programmes are designed by educational
experts from NCERT, NIOs and IGNOU, Science Programmes are
contributed by "Vigyan Prasar" of the Ministry of Science and Technology
as well. NGOs and various Government departments also contribute
programmes; Gyan Vani has created a Programme Exchange Unit and
all the stations have access to the best productions of each radio station.
Further, All India Radio is broadcasting educational programmes for
the students as well as for teachers of Primary/Middle/Secondary/Senior
Secondary Schools in collaboration with NCERT/CIET in their primary
channel through medium wave.
FM Radio Stations
535. SHRIMATI N. P. DURGA: Will the Minister of INFORMATION
AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state:
(a) whether his Ministry has invited tenders for 338 FM stations across
the 9{ cities of the country;
(b) if so, the details of the stations identified, State-wise;
30