More Coverage Of State Items On Doordarshan's Forthcoming National Programme Necessary

DR. SHRIKANT JICHKAR

I am sure, mine is a representative expression. I am happy to participate in this Conference of the Information Ministers. So far, 15 such Conferences have been held and to be sure, almost at each one of them the participants must have been the different ones. Personally for me, this is the first conference to be attended. Though the participants may have differed on several occasions, the aim and object of this Conference has remained all along the same, viz., ensuring better co-ordination between the various mass media units of the Centre and the State for greater involvement of the people in the programme and schemes that are being implemented for their welfare. This forum affords us an opportunity to exchange the views and for individuals like me an opportunity to receive the benefit of guidance and advice from my counterparts of other States, who, I know, are elder to me in every respect. I am sure, I will have many things to know and learn from Shri Satheji who has given the Information and Broadcasting Ministry a new dimension, a new shape and a new content.
The agenda for the Conference which has been circulated amongst all of us makes some very interesting readings. Next to review of recommendations of the 15th Conference, the first item is the Film and it is rightly so, for the impact of films in motivation can hardly be denied.
Perfect Co-ordination
From among the other items on the agenda, the Radio and the Television are the two more important items. Shri Satheji will be happy to know that in my State these two media are working in perfect
co-ordination and harmony with us, and this is as much a compliment to the officers and the staff of the AIR, Bombay and the Bombay T.V. as it is to our Officers of the Information and Public Relations Department. However, speaking on T.V., I would request the Information and Broadcasting Minister to consider ways and means to devise more coverage for the State items when the national programme will be shown simultaneously from all the 20 centres. Any one with any concern for national integration and unity of the country, will approve of the introduction of the national programme. Moreover, as the news bulletins under the national programme are to be prepared on the material received for all the 20 centres, they are bound to present a picture of important events on the national canvass. Similarly, the projection of current affairs, music, dance etc. is bound to have a countrywide appeal, which, as I said earlier, will promote and further the cause of national unity.
More Time For State Events
And yet, I would request you to consider whether it would be possible for the various T.V. centres in the country to earmark special time for the projection of important State events. This could be done firstly by extending the time limit of the regional news bulletin, for example in Maharashtra, Marathi. We could also consider introduction of a weekly news feature on the T.V. so that important events of the week are screened for the benefit of the State viewers. I am sure, my suggestion does not smack of any parochialism or regional bias. My intention is to ensure an adequate coverage for the State and I am confident, it will be viewed in the correct and proper perspective. We could also consider extending the closing down hour of the Bombay T.V. say from 10-15 to 10-30 and the additional 15 minutes or so could be utilised for this purpose.
It has to be accepted that in the recent past, as detailed in these agenda notes, the Government of India has taken some positive steps to help the small newspapers. In my own State, we have liberalised the condition in favour of the small newspapers in granting accreditations, minimum circulation for Government advertisements, travel concession in the State Transport buses etc. However, I feel that a major field in which the help is required is the supply of newsprint. I feel this all the more so, because in the production of number of periodicals Maharashtra has always been occupying the leading position. As the latest report of the Registrar of Newspapers, reveals, Maharashtra is fast reaching the three thousand mark. Therefore, my request to consider whether more outlets by way of S.T.C. depots for supply of newsprint could be had at Divisional Headquarters like Pune, Nagpur and Aurangabad and even at District Headquarter like Kolhapur which have a large number of newspapers including dailies. They will consider it a major service and helping hand if these depots could be located there. The hardships to which the small newspapers are put by their being required to come very often to Bombay and the loss which is forced on them by the unscrupulous, suppliers is too much to count.
Projection of 20-Point Plan
For the consideration of this conference,. I have also to make a suggestion on projection of the 20-Point Programme, the main thrust of which is the improvement of the lot of the neglected and the downtrodden. While all the 20-Points and their implementation should make a very interesting and informative subject for a 20-minute documentary, I feel each one of these points can be considered for an effective quickie. The State Government on their own can no doubt prepare such documentaries or quickies, but their production by the Films Division and their countrywide projection will have greater impact.
I will also suggest that certain events which, though they may appear to be of State importance, could be considered for All India projection. The instance in point is that of the 'Drishti Dan' or the 'Vision Restoration Campaign' that we have launched in our State on June 10, 1982.1 am sure, though a State event, its projection on the national level will be appreciated.
It will also be useful for us to consider vigorous follow up in the mass media for the measures taken to step up production during the current productivity year as announced by our Prime Minister.
As I said earlier, I have utilised this opportunity to express my views on some points in which more intimate and purposeful coordination between the States and the Information Ministry is possible,
Before I conclude I would also request Shri Satheji, who is known for his dynamism and innovative ideas, to consider whether for a proper follow up of the deliberations of this meeting it is possible to hold it not only annually, but half yearly.
(Speech of Dr. Shrikant Jichkar, Minister of State for Information and Public Relations, Home, Revenue and Rehabilitation, at the meeting of the Information Ministers', held at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi on July 3, 1982).