“Broadcasting Infrastructure and Network Development” (BIND) Scheme

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Context:

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the proposal of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting “Broadcasting Infrastructure and Network Development” (BIND) Scheme.

Details:

The Broadcasting Infrastructure and Network Development is a Central Sector scheme. It is the vehicle for providing financial support to Prasar Bharati for expenses related to the expansion and upgradation of its broadcasting infrastructure, content development and civil work related to the organization.

Prasar Bharati, as the public broadcaster of the country, is the most important vehicle of information, education, entertainment and engagement for the people especially in the remote areas of the country through Doordarshan and All India Radio.

Significance:

The BIND scheme will enable the public broadcaster to undertake a major upgradation of its facilities with better infrastructure which will widen its reach, including in the LWE, border and strategic areas and provide high-quality content to the viewers.
Another major priority area of the scheme is the development of high-quality content for a both domestic and international audiences and ensuring the availability of diverse content to the viewers by upgradation of the capacity of DTH platformto accommodate more channels.
In addition to enhancing the scope of public broadcasting, the project for modernization and augmentation of broadcast infrastructure also has the potential to generate indirect employment by way of manufacturing and services related to the supply and installation of broadcast equipment.