The government is set to expand the reach of national broadcasters, All-India Radio and Doordarshan, in tribal areas in the next few years. Most of these areas, affected by Maoist insurgency, will now be served by special programmes in tribal languages like Halbi, Gondi, Munda and Sargujia. The step has been initiated in an effort to reach out to the local population of the backward tribal regions of the country in their mother tongue.
It is understood that the information and broadcasting ministry has initiated this step to ensure better impact of national broadcasters amongst the local population.
Sources stated that a similar step is also being initiated by the I&B ministry for the northeastern states which have been affected by extremism.
The step is being seen as an attempt at stopping misinformation campaign being unleashed by the Maoists and terrorist outfits.
The step has been initiated after wide consultations between the ministry of home affairs and the I&B ministry and aims to help create awareness regarding government policies and initiatives. The I&B ministry is understood to have directed the national broadcasters to start preparing better programming in tribal languages of the country.
Of the 380 transmitters across the country, the AIR has 125 of these in tribal and inaccessible areas. Similarly, of the 1415 Doordarshan transmitters, 433 are located in tribal sub-plan districts.
Sources stated that 11 AM/FM transmitters are being commissioned by the AIR and 12 of them upgraded in these areas.
The Doordarshan on its part is also planning an expansion in these areas.