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Nithya Subramanian

New Delhi , Sept. 19

THE Finance Ministry could be playing spoilsport to Prasar Bharati Corporation's ambitious plans to reviving its 24-hour news channel by raising doubts about its financial viability.

It seems to be of the view that going by the past experience, the news channel may not be a revenue spinner or even a profitable venture. The channel, in its earlier avatar, had lost close to Rs 55 crore and was subsequently shut down.

Hence, top officials in North Block have sought detailed revenue and expenditure projections on the proposed channel from the mandarins at Mandi House. Besides, it has also indicated that in the long run, the national broadcaster should try and sustain the channel through its own revenues and not look for continuous budgetary support.

The Government sources said that Finance Ministry officials had raised these issues at a meeting with Doordarshan officials. The public broadcaster had sought a Rs 96-crore grant to re-launch its 24-hour news channel.

"Though both the Planning Commission and Finance Ministry have given their in principle approval to the proposal, the latter has asked the Corporation to explain why a revenue generating channel such as DD Metro is being wound up and is being replaced by a news channel," said sources. DD Metro, a satellite entertainment channel has been earning Rs 22-25 crore for the broadcaster.

Meanwhile, in response to these queries, Prasar Bharati officials are working on detailed presentations. "It has become important to put to rest all doubts raised by the Finance Ministry as the proposal would finally require Cabinet clearance," said sources.

DD officials feel that there is need for a separate news channels and retaining it as part of either the National or Metro channel was not a good option. With a host of private news channels hitting the airwaves this year, Prasar Bharati felt that it is necessary for the national broadcaster to have a full-fledged news and current affairs channel

Also, the Corporation would have to look at ways to ramp up the revenues. The actual revenues of Doordarshan have been slipping. In 2002-03, the actual revenue was Rs 515 crore against a target of Rs 575 crore. This year the target has been set at a lower Rs 550 crore.

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