I&B min seeks Law Ministry's view on proposal for Delhi Assembly TV channel

NEW DELHI: The Information and Broadcasting Ministry has sought Law Ministry's opinion on Delhi Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel's proposal for setting up a channel on the lines of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha TV.

Officials said in the past the ministry has received requests from several state governments for allowing them to have TV channels but permission was not granted.

"This particular matter relates to setting up of a channel by a state Assembly and the ministry has decided to seek the Law Ministry's opinion in this regard," an official said.

Earlier, in a letter to I&B Ministry, Goel had sought permission to set up an exclusive channel on the lines of the two Parliament channels to telecast assembly proceedings live. The channel may also showcase other programmes of public relevance.

It was learnt that the Speaker was contemplating hiring a consultant to work out the feasibility and modalities of the television project.

Under the existing guidelines, governments are not allowed to run their own TV channels, an official said.

The two Parliament channels - Lok Sabha TV and Rajya Sabha TV are allowed. Doordarshan channels are run by Prasar Bharati, an autonomous body.