Producers question DD on delay in sanctioning programmes

Several producers working for Doordarshan today presented a memorandum to Prasar Bharati officials in which they raised questions about delay in sanctioning programmes for channels like DD-Kashir and DD Urdu.
Producers said that even when there is requirement of programmes for these channels Doordarshan has been finding an excuse to not give out the sanctions.
"We have tried to raise the issue with officials but the response has not been satisfactory," said Vinod Zutshi, a producer who was a part of the delegation that submitted the memorandum.
Producers said that they spend money in preparing proposals and on scripts of programmes but face hardship when even the recommended programmes are not sanctioned.

In their memorandum, the producers said that if their demands are not met, they would sit on dharna in front of Doordarshan Directorate on July 31.
Prasar Bharati CEO Jawahar Sircar said that the programmes for these channels were being financed under a special government assistance scheme, which was shut down by the government a year back.
Despite this, certain programmes were recommended, Sircar said and added that it seemed that the factual position was not communicated to the producers by certain people who may have hoped that the scheme would continue.