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Parliamentary Committee’s Kisan Channel update
NEW DELHI: A Parliamentary Committee has recommend that the Information and Broadcasting Ministry should objectively assess Plan activities for the Kisan Channel so that the Rs 8 crore made at the Budget Estimate stage for creation of capital assets could be optimally utilized.
It noted that the Scheme had initially been approved with a provision of Rs 100 crore during 2014-15. However for the year 2015-16, an allocation of Rs 45 crore had been made at the BE stage which was reduced to Rs 26.25 crore at the Revised Estimates stage, the whole of which was utilized till 31 March 2016.
Regarding the physical targets achieved under this Scheme during 2015-16, the Ministry informed the Standing Parliamentary Committee for Information Technology which examines issues relating to I and B that interim technical facilities were set up at the Central Production Centre to meet the minimum functional requirements.
The Committee was informed that the entire allocation of Rs 10 crore made in BE 2015-16 for creation of capital assets (Revenue Plan) had been withdrawn at the RE stage which had impacted activities such as purchase order of important equipment such as HD Zoom Lens, Collaborative Non-Linear Editing (NLE), Batteries and Chargers, etc. It has been stated that tenders for these facilities have already been received and are under various stages of evaluation.
The Committee was told that out of Rs 60 crore allocated under BE 2016-17 for Kisan Channel, Rs 52 crore has been earmarked for content development and dissemination and Rs 8 crore for creation of capital assets.
The DD Kisan channel was launched by prime minister Narendra Modi on 26 May last year for supporting the cause of the country’s farming population.
On being asked about the fund that had been utilized out of Rs 100 crore provided for this scheme, the Ministry in a written note stated that Rs 49.36 crore had been utilized till date for publicity at the time of launch of the Kisan channel and content development and dissemination.
Technical facilities at 18 regional Kendras are also to be augmented to strengthen programme production activities for Kisan Channel. As part of this, Electronic News Gathering (ENG) based Field Production facilities, Post Production facility & Preview facility are envisaged to be provided to the above Kendras during 2016-17.
The Interim technical set up, meeting broadly the Studio Production, ENG production, Post-production and Play-out requirement with optimum technical facility, were arranged with the existing technical facilities available at the CPC Kendra as well as through diversion from other Kendras in the network. Technical facilities planned for interim set up have been completed during 2015-16.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
