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Our Bureau

New Delhi , Sept. 12

THE Information and Broadcasting Minister, Mr S. Jaipal Reddy, has said that financial autonomy of the public broadcaster is essential for giving true autonomy to Doordarshan (DD) and All India Radio.

Speaking at a seminar on `A Decade of Citizen's Initiative' organised by Jan Prasar on Sunday, he said all non-governmental organisations and academicians engaged in mass-communication should work towards creating an enabling environment in which the financial autonomy of Prasar Bharati can be ensured.

He said financial autonomy to Prasar Bharati is essential to take it out of Governmental control. With nearly two-thirds of expenditure being funded by the Government, it was not possible to stop Government intervention.

He added that Prasar Bharati is all set to launch its DTH later this month, which will initially have 30 channels, including 14 DD channels. The number of channels will go to 40 by the year-end. The main feature of DTH service is that it will be available to people free of cost. They would have to make one-time investment of Rs 3,000 only for buying the set.

On the future of FM and community radio, the Minister said a regime enabling huge expansion is being worked out. Efforts are on to simplify and rationalise procedures in allowing setting up of community radio. He said the country could have up to 4,000 community radio stations and over 400 FM radio stations.

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