MUMBAI: The Government has proposed to broadcast fresh programmes on Doordarshan (DD) and All India Radio (AIR) in order to cater to the needs of the remote and far-flung inhabitants in the north eastern (NE) region.

Prasar Bharati has also informed that DD has a scheme to commission fresh programmes to cater to the programme needs of all the inhabitants of NE region.

All the Doordarshan Kendra of North East, excluding Sikkim, have been selected for telecasting fresh programmes.

The guidelines for the prospective producers from Agartala, Aizwal, Dibrugarh, Guwahati, Imphal, Itanagar, Kohima, Shillong, Silchar, Tura and PPC have already been notified.

Applications have been invited for empanelment of producers for these commissioned programmes.

AIR stations are provided with budgetary support for producing In-house programmes at their respective stations based on the felt needs of the region, in which they are located.

In 2003, AIR invited proposals under the commissioned category for producing radio programmes under the NE special package of the `Software Plan Scheme`. However, no fresh proposals have been invited under this category after 2003. Funds are also provided under NE `Special Package` for AIR Stations in NE states including Sikkim.