Irani for early launch of DTH edu channels

HRD Minister Smriti Irani is understood to have favoured early launch of the proposed 50 DTH educational channels, a project initiated during the UPA regime.
Evincing keen interest about the project during a briefing, she is reported to have suggested to the officials to launch by the end of this year these channels which will broadcast educational content live unlike the programmes aired in Gyan Darshan.
The new HRD Minister, who assumed charge of the Ministry on Tuesday, has been holding a series of meetings with different department heads both at her Shastri Bhawan office and her residence during the last two days to be familiar with the programmes and policies, sources said.

In the midst of her breifing with officials, Minister of State for Railways Manoj Sinha called on her today and is reported to have discussed the controversy surrounding the appointment of the Vice-Chancellor of Gorakhpur University, demanding a fresh look into the issue.
Irani is also believed to have been briefed about the four-year degree programme introduced by Delhi University last year.
A couple of organisations are planning a demonstration in front of Shastri Bhawan tomorrow to press for roll back of the programme and removal of the Delhi University Vice-Chancellor.
More protests are planned in the coming days by outfits opposed to the continuation of the four year programme.

The Minister is also understood to be preparing a broad-based road-map for the education sector, much of which could find mention in the 100-day agenda which Prime Minister Narendra Modi had asked his Cabinet colleagues to prepare.