I&B Ministry pushes for modernization of Prasar Bharati

In a move that could boost the public broadcaster's efforts to create a new infrastructure, the I&B Ministry is pushing for a proposal for providing Rs 3500 crore to Prasar Bharati for modernisation.
Official sources said the ministry has already been given a go-ahead by the Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC) of the Finance Ministry and now a nod from the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) will be required.
"The I&B Ministry had been keenly pursuing the proposal for grant of funds to Prasar Bharati so that it can modernise as well as strengthen its infrastructure," a senior official said.

The official said while the EFC had given its go-ahead to the proposal, it had also observed that there was a need for Prasar Bharati to be self-reliant and try to increase its revenues through its own sources.
The additional funds under the proposal will be used to strengthen the Prasar Bharati's reach in the border areas by setting up new transmitters and supporting its efforts towards Digitalisation of Doordarshan and All India Radio (AIR), officials said.