Doordarshan image fades in Upper Assam http://www.telegraphindia.com/1061218/asp/northeast/story_7149953.asp
The Dibrugarh Doordarshan Private Producers' Forum has urged Dispur to fill up all vacant posts in the Doordarshan Kendra and launch a news section for the people of Upper Assam. Former Prime Minister I.K. Gujral, during his visit to Dibrugarh on May 19, 1997, promised that the All-India Radio and the Doordarshan Kendra, Dibrugarh, would have separate news divisions. Accordingly, AIR, Dibrugarh launched a five-minute local bulletin broadcast daily at 6 pm. Dibrugarh Doordarshan Kendra, however, had failed to take any such step. According to an employee, there are several technical hurdles. "First, the height of the tower has to be increased from 75 metres to 150 metres for proper telecast. To overcome the existing manpower crisis, trained hands need to be appointed for the news unit," he said. Established in 1993, Dibrugarh Doordarshan Kendra had always been neglected by the authorities concerned. Lack of funds, acute shortage of staff, including technical persons and poor coverage, have proved to be major stumbling blocks for the station here. Repeated requests by several organisations to improve the condition of the Kendra, however, seem to have fallen on deaf ears. The forum has urged station director of Dibrugarh Doordarshan Kendra to increase the amount sanctioned for commissioned programmes from Rs 80 lakh to Rs 5 crore so that private producers do not feel deprived. In a memorandum submitted to the station director here, the forum members had stated that an increase in amount of funds would benefit around 150 private producers in Upper Assam. "Rich in natural resources, Upper Assam offers a wide range of topics for making thought-provoking documentaries. However, a sum of Rs 80 lakh sanctioned last year is a mere pittance. It doesn't serve the purpose of the producers most of whom are unemployed youths. Only 50 of them were selected last year leaving out a major chunk," general secretary of the forum, Prakash Sarma, said. --------------------------------------------------------- http://www.koushikhazarika.co.nr
