In the context of the formulation of XII five year plan 2012-17, the Planning Commission had constituted a Working Group  with certain terms of reference for Information & Broadcasting sector. The Working Group met on 21st July 2011 and deliberated the issues threadbare and constituted three Sub Groups with defined terms of reference one each for Broadcasting Sector, Film Sector and Information Sector

      The three Sub Groups have since submitted their reports. Having due regard to the terms of reference of the Working Group, the reports of the Sub Groups, the deliberations made in the Working Group meeting, the written suggestions given by some Members, and the feedback received from the Minister of Information &Broadcasting from time to time, the report of the Working Group has been finalized.  

               
The following are  the recommendations made by the Working Group in respect of Broadcasting Sector:

(i) As digitization continues to be a key growth driver for the Indian broadcasting sector, the digitalization of AIR, Doordarshan, Cable sector should be completed as per the sunset dates fixed by the Ministry;

(ii) To ensure that the digitalization with addressability is implemented in the broadcasting sector as per the time table defined by the Ministry, the fiscal incentives such as income tax holiday , zero custom duty on all digital headend and networking equipments should be implemented on priority. All service providers (cable TV, DTH, HITS, IPTV) who set up a digital addressable distribution network before the sunset date(s), be treated as infrastructure service 52 providers similar to telecom services and be eligible for benefits under section 80-IA and section 72A of the Income Tax Act;

(iii) All the benefits and incentives, as are available for infrastructure industry, should be extended to the Broadcasting, Cable, and DTH sector including the availability of finance at concessional rate of interest to give boost to digitalization process in the country;

(iv) Prasar Bharati should undertake a comprehensive programme audit of Doordarshan and AIR and devise new programme manuals for DD and AIR;

(v) DD and AIR should earmark some frequencies /channels for niche programmes;

(vi) Prasar Bharati should take urgent steps to improve the content being telecast by DD/AIR. public private partnership model should be explored for improving programming and services;

(vii) AIR and Doordarshan should identify areas for maximization of revenue and up-gradation of network and services. Prasar Bharati should explore the feasibly of generating revenue using the archives of DD and AIR;

(viii) Prasar Bharati should set up an interactive broadcast museum of historic and contemporary radio and television equipments and content; 53

(ix) Prasar Bharati should optimally utilize new media technologies for delivering its programmes and channels;

(x) Broadcast coverage in boarder areas and North Eastern areas should be enhanced. A permanent strategy for planning, development and management of broadcasting infrastructure and services in the border areas of the country is required to be devised. A separate strategic broadcasting services Division should be established for planning, development and management of broadcasting infrastructure and services in the border and insurgency infested areas of the country;

(xi) The Government should pay special attention to improve FM coverage in the 12th plan. At least one dedicated nationwide news and current affairs FM channel should be implemented under 12 th plan. The feasibility of having dedicated FM channels for classical music and other cultural programmes needs to be explored;

(xii) The Government should strengthen the capacity of EMMC for monitoring broadcast content. The EMMC should also monitor Private FM Channels and Community Radio services;

(xiii) The Government should set up a corpus fund for promoting community radio movement in the country;

(xiv) The Government should accord priority for sensitizing consumers on the benefits of digitalization. A comprehensive manpower development and training program should be designed to support and facilitate digitalization programme; 54

(xiv) The Government should explore the feasibility of making India teleport hub;

(xv) Various processes/activities in different sections of the Ministry should be fully computerized and automated to cut down the time required for processing so as to facilitate the speedy clearance and grant of various permissions and approvals etc.;

(xvi) The Government should address various regulatory issues so as to ensure the growth and development of the broadcasting and content distribution sector;

(xvii) The Government should bring out policy on Mobile TV enabling private players to provide services both at the terrestrial and satellite route;

(xviii)The Government should identify the factor as to why private operators are not interested in operating HITS and amend the policy, if necessary. In the meantime, Doordarshan should explore the feasibility of operating a common HITS platform which should be combined with the teleport facility;

(xix) The Government should set up a Media Council of India on the lines of the All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE) for electronic media to govern media education and research in the country; and

(xx) The Government should set up a Center for the promotion of excellence in the electronic media.
 

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