C'garh to have dedicated DD channel

Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Venkaih Naidu today announced to launch a dedicated DD channel for Chhattisgarh.
He also announced to distribute free television DTH (direct-to-home) set top boxes in the remote and tribal areas of the Naxal-affected state to make people aware of various government schemes.
"Chhattisgarh will soon have its 24x7 DD channel. It will take some time but we have given in-principle approval in this direction," Naidu told reporters here.
He, however, added that till the launch of 24x7 channel, DD Madhya Pradesh will broadcast daily Chhattisgarh based programmes (from 1 to 2 pm)and news from 8.00 pm to 8.15 pm in satellite mode to cater to the people of the state which will start from June 15.

Naidu, who also holds Urban Development, Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation portfolio, took a review meeting of departments under his ministries.
Chief Minister Raman Singh was also present on the occasion.

Naidu also announced that Centre will distribute 10,000 free Dish DTH set top boxes in the remote and tribal areas of the state.
"Through these set top boxes viewers would be able to view 104 TV channels without any monthly or annual charges," he said.
"The DTH will enable people of these areas to connect to various development schemes of the government. This decision would be a vehicle for transformation of these areas as information of the outside world will be directly reaching to the masses," said Naidu.

He also announced that a 100 KW High Power Medium Wave Solid State Digital - Ready Transmitter will soon be commissioned in Jagdalpur (Bastar district headquarter) at a cost of Rs 5 crore which would beam the signal of AIR Jagdalpur to a radius of 200 kms.
"I told PM's 'Man Ki Baat' will soon be broadcastin coming days in the region (naxal affected Bastar)," he added.
Three new 10 KW FM stations will be set up in Jagdalpur (Bastar), Ambikapur (Surguja) and Rajnandgaon district headquarters with an investment of Rs.10 crore per FM station, he said adding the Saraipali (Mahasamund district)FM station would be operational within 15 days.

He also said that special programmes of Doordarshan and Akashvani like PM's 'Man ki Baat' will also be broadcast through Akashvani in regional languages and dialects.
He also announced that all vacant post in PIB (Press Information Bureau) Raipur will be filled soon.
Naidu said Chhattisgarh has been at the forefront of taking advantage of the Centre's thrust on urban development and improving the quality of life in cities and towns.
Meanwhile, he handed over the sanction orders of Rs. 45 crore to the CM, under the various missions of the ministry of Urban development, Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation.

This included Rs 6 crore for Smart City Mission, Rs 16 crore for Deendayal Antyoday Yojna-National Urban Livelihood Mission and Rs 23 crore for Pradhan Mantri Aawas Yojna (Urban).
Naidu also handed over ODF (open defecation free) certificates to three Municipal Corporations - Ambikapur, Bhilai and Dhamtari.