Parliament Question: Expansion of Prasar Bharati services in aspirational districts of Odisha

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2492 (TO BE ANSWERED ON 13.03.2026) EXPANSION OF PRASAR BHARATI SERVICES IN ASPIRATIONAL DISTRICTS OF ODISHA

2492. SMT. SULATA DEO:

Will the Minister of Information and Broadcasting be pleased to state: a) whether Government proposes to expand the reach of Prasar Bharati services in aspirational districts of Odisha; and b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (DR. L. MURUGAN)

(a) & (b) Akashvani has 28 broadcasting stations in Odisha, including 12 stations located in aspirational districts. DD Odia is a 24x7 dedicated channel for the state of Odisha. Doordarshan provides a free-to-air Direct-to-Home (DTH) service through DD Free Dish, the signals of which can be received anywhere in the country, including aspirational districts of Odisha.

Broadcasting Infrastructure and Network Development (BIND) scheme is a Central Sector Scheme for development, modernization and upgradation of broadcasting infrastructure of Doordarshan and Akashvani in the country including the aspirational districts of Odisha. Under the BIND Scheme, 6 more FM transmitters have been sanctioned for Odisha, including 1 in the aspirational district of Kalahandi.Prasar Bharati has also launched its own OTT platform “WAVES” in 2024 which is a multi- genre digital streaming aggregator platform providing infotainment content. It is playing a key role in making information, education, and culture easily available to everyone. Various channels of Doordarshan and AIR network are also integrated into WAVES. Further, more than 260 Akashvani channels can also be listened through “NewsOnAir” app on mobile phones.

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