Delays in promotions at All India Radio and a long phase during which there were no recruitments had "resulted in disgruntlement across the board", its top official said today even as he added that things are now changing fast and the broadcaster would regain its glory.
A statement by AIR said that its Director General, F Sheheryar, while announcing the Akashvani Annual Awards, had harked back to the days when AIR as well as Doordarshan were not so advanced in technology but richer in content.
The DG spoke of "23 years of a kind of holiday, not only in recruitment but also in departmental promotions, which have resulted in disgruntlement across the board".
The statement added that "other reasons touched upon included how radio came to be regarded as de-prioritised when television arrived, but this happened only in South Asia".
Sheheryar, however, concluded his speech on an optimistic note, saying that things are changing fast.
"We are resuscitating ourselves, we will rejuvenate and incentivise our professionals. The glory which appears to be dormant will surely appear de novo," he added.
He cited Prasar Bharati's efforts in the direction of 'FM-isation', which will cover shadow areas created by ailing MW and SW networks.
He spoke of Prasar Bharati's recent achievement in getting professional manpower recruited for the programme and technical wings of the organisation despite "overwhelming odds".
Radio Play 'Batil Record', produced by AIR Kolkata and documentary 'Kahani Sutlej di' by AIR Jalandhar were among the winners in their respective categories in the Akashvani Annual Awards declared today.
Instituted in 1974, the awards are handed annually with a view to promoting professional excellence and bringing out the best in the staff working in AIR's vast network of radio stations and installations.
For 2014, a total of 128 entries in 12 categories were screened by a jury comprising a galaxy of eminent experts and veteran broadcasters.
Based on the applications, the government will pre-qualify
applicants who meet the eligibility criteria for participation in the auction.
The issuance of NIA for the second batch under Private FM Phase III will further the process of expansion of FM Radio broadcasting services through private agencies (Phase-III).
E-auction of first batch, which commenced on July 27, 2015 and got over on September 9, 2015resulted in selling of 91 channels in 54 cities, the statement said.
It also paved the way for migration (renewal) of 181 Phase II licenses to Phase III.
The first batch comprised vacant channels in existing cities only i.E. The cities where private FM operators were already present. Hence the operationalization of channels in new cities taken up in the second batch will lead to actual geographical expansion of Private FM radio.
Amongst the 266 channels on offer, special incentives are being provided to 36 channels in 14 cities in J&K and North Eastern states.
By this, the FM Phase III policy exudes the government's thrust for concerted development of the North Eastern states and J&K, the statement said.
There is a provision of annual fee of the channels in these areas at half the rates for first 3 years, besides provision of Prasar Bharati Infrastructure at half the lease rentals.
Among the cities being put for e-auction in the second batch of FM Phase III are Hyderabad, Asansol, Vijayawada, Akola, Alappuzha, Amravati, Jhansi, Muzaffarnagar, Mysuru, Nanded, Puducherry, Vellore, Chhindwara, Mehsana, Vidisha, Kargil, Kathua etc.
