Gujarat government to start 16 new television channels from May

Department of Science and Technology of the Gujarat government has undertaken a trial in this regard

Gujarat government is planning to start 16 new television channels on various subjects through direct-to-home (D2H) services by end of May this year.

The Department of Science and Technology (DST) of the Gujarat government has undertaken a trial in this regard.

The Gujarat Government would be investing roughly Rs 25-30 crore on the technical setup, and generate about 100 new jobs under the department.

What's more, the department of space of Central government has given permission to use its satellite for the channels with all the channels to be relayed free of cost on DD's direct to home service. All these channels will be broadcast through GSAT-8 satellite.

GSAT-8, India's advanced communication satellite, is a high power communication satellite being inducted in the INSAT system.

Names of these channels as well as final launching date will be decided by Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel soon. The idea to start educative channels was first proposed by Narendra Modi two years ago as the then Chief Minister of Gujarat.

"We will start 16 new television channel by the end of May this year. These channels will broadcast different kind of programmes related to education, agriculture, industries, competitive exam knowledge, among other things," said Govind Patel, minister of state for Science and Technology, Gujarat government.

Bhaskaracharya Institute For Space Applications and Geo-Informatics (BISAG) - a state level nodal agency under ministry of Science and Technology - will maintain these channels. BISAG already runs one educational channel for the state government.

BISAG, formerly known as Remote Sensing and Communication Centre (RESECO), has been renamed after 'Bhaskaracharya', the great Indian Mathematician of the 12th century.

BISAG is a state level nodal agency to facilitate the use of spatial and geo-spatial technologies for the planning and developmental activities pertaining to agriculture, land and water resource management, wasteland/watershed development, forestry, disaster management, infrastructure and education.

The institute started its operations in April 1997 and was renamed as Bhaskaracharya Institute for Space Applications and Geo-informatics in December 2003.

S J Haider, secretary of Science and Technology department said, "We have received required permissions to start the channels from the concerned department of the Union government. Technical setup for that has also done by us. Now, we are deciding allocation of time and subject."

The department had successfully conducted trial run of some of the channels some time back. Through education and knowledge channels, state government will telecast the developmental activities undertaken by the state government apart from providing information to people of the state regarding various schemes of the state.

Govind Patel said, "Our aim is to provide information and knowledge to the people and we have decided to start these channels for the same. This move will prove helpful for students, farmers and everyone who wants to seek knowledge."