Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Nabam Tuki has urged the Centre to strengthen the mass information mediums like Doordarshan and All India Radio in the state.
Tuki, who called on Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ambika Soni at New Delhi yesterday discussed various issues pertaining to strengthening the system of broadcasting and dissemination of information through government-owned mass media, official sources informed here today.
Tuki was accompanied by Lok Sabha MP Ninong Ering.
Reiterating his vision to have a strong broadcasting system in the state, Tuki suggested upgrading and systematizing the communication mediums like DD and AIR that play an important role in bridging the gap between the government and its citizens.
While appreciating the enthusiasm of the chief minister, Soni assured to give top priority to strengthen the network and work efficiency of DD and AIR in Arunachal Pradesh.
Besides upgrading equipments and the broadcasting system in the existing centers, she assured to post adequate staff to man these centers, sources disclosed.
She also accepted to strengthen the transmission reach of DD and AIR by opening new centers and viable locations in the state.
On the suggestion of Tuki, the Union Minister also admitted the need to re-introduce the installation and provision of Community Listening Sets in a state like Arunachal Pradesh, where the reach of mass media is still limited to countable towns.
The Union Minister accepted in principle to establish an office of the Press Bureau of India (PIB) at Itanagar, sources informed.
Tuki, who also expressed keen interest in constituting a film division of the state to promote documentation of the rich cultural heritage of various tribes inhabiting the state, sought cooperation in this regard from the Union Ministry.
Responding to this plea, she assured all-out support and cooperation in this connection while insisting on organizing national and regional level film festivals in Arunachal Pradesh.
The Union Minister also appreciated the chief minister’s urge to have a dedicated 24-hours satellite channel for the state and offered cooperation to initiate the proposal.
Later, the CM along with Ering made a courtesy call on Union Minister of State for Planning Ashawni Kumar as a follow up to the memorandums and projects submitted earlier by the state government, sources added. (PTI)