Government considers launching 'DD Kisan' on Modi govt's first anniversary

NEW DELHI: As it plans a series of events to mark its first year in office on May 26, the government is considering to launch ' DD Kisan', a 24-hour channel for farmers, on the occasion.

Sources said the move was under "active consideration" of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and Prasar Bharati but added that a final decision was yet to be taken.

"The preparations for the launch of the DD Kisan channels are at a very advanced stage. There is a suggestion that it can be launched as the government marks its first year," a senior official said.

The source, however, said that a final decision will only be taken in consultation with the Prime Minister's Office.

After it came to power, the NDA government had announced that it will launch a 24-hour TV channel for farmers.

In his Union Budget 2014 speech, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, who now also holds the charge of the I&B ministry, had announced that a 24-hour TV channel will be dedicated to the agriculture sector, for which he had marked an outlay of Rs 100 crore.

Preparations for the launch of this "niche edu-tainment" channel have been on full-swing. The public broadcaster has been exploring tie-ups with several experts' bodies such as Indian Meteorological Department, National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange, Indian Agriculture Research Institute to produce programmes which provide accurate information for farmers.