Olympic silver medallist and ace shooter Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore has a very clear aim: he seeks to connect directly with the people and make the government’s policies more effective. As Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting, Rathore, in an interview with BusinessLine , spoke about the government’s communication strategy in the years to come. Edited excerpts:

How different is your communication strategy compared with the UPA government’s, especially with regard to achievements in the first year?

One of the key lacunas of the previous government was that the policies, good or bad, were not known to the citizens.

One can argue about the merits of their policies later, but the fact is that the policies were not known to the people. This is the vital change in this government.

We must, by whatever means, let the citizens know about various policies. Thereafter, we can discuss the merits or demerits and make the policies better. We have gone ahead with a 360-degree approach for every mechanism of dissemination of information. The connect is extremely important, and it is extremely critical that the feedback mechanism works both for the government and the people.

When will the government conduct the private FM Radio phase III e-auctions?

FM Radio is a popular medium and our intention is that the entire country should be covered, which we are calling the “FMisation of the country”.

We have decided that every city with a population of one lakh and above (Census 2011) will be included in these auctions.

Therefore, there will be a large number of cities that will see the advent of multiple FM radio stations.

We will be conducting a transparent e-auction. We will engage outside observers to monitor the auction and are in the process of getting our software verified and updated.

We are doing it in phases. In the first batch, we will have e-auction of 135 channels in the existing 69 cities, which have some unoccupied frequencies. Hopefully, this will be done by June or July.

What are the key projects that your Ministry will be focusing on?

Our prime focus will be on dissemination of information on our policies. We have strengthened the methods and mediums that are currently present.

We have to strengthen the reach of Doordarshan (DD) and All India Radio stations, as well as FM Radio stations in border areas and Left Wing Extremist areas. We are enhancing the content and look of DD News.

We have set up an independent panel for selection of serials to be aired on DD National. So, we are focused on strengthening our infrastructure and our present platforms to widen their reach. We have started a new initiative, Talkathons, which are interviews of Ministers aired on social networks where they take questions from the people.

Also, we are revamping the Film and Television Institute of India so that its syllabus is contemporary and have brought in key industry names on its board. Similarly, the proposed Centre of Excellence for Animation, Gaming and Special effects will be done in partnership with the industry.

The Censor Board is mired in controversies. What is your view on the need for changes in censorship laws?

We are already working on the new Cinematograph Act, and are considering recommendations by the Mudgal Committee.

However, the Censor Board being mired into controversies is something you have to view in a different prism.

As soon as the government took over, certain interest groups that were standing to lose by the new transparent methods of this government, were looking to create some sort of controversy.

Also, when individuals come together for the first time, there may be friction because of their personal baggages.

It has nothing to do with the functioning of the board. We have been able to contain those personal egos.

We firmly believe that films are an expression of opinion and we need to strengthen them and allow them to reach the audience.

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