CCEA approves BIND Scheme with an outlay of Rs.2,539.61 crore up to 2025-26

NEW DELHI:The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the proposal of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting regarding Central Sector Scheme “Broadcasting Infrastructure and Network Development” (BIND) at a cost of ?2,539.61 crore for infrastructure development of Prasar Bharati i.e. All India Radio (AIR) and Doordarshan (DD). The “Broadcasting Infrastructure and Network Development” scheme of the Ministry is the vehicle for providing financial support to Prasar Bharati for expenses related to expansion and upgradation of its broadcasting infrastructure, content development and civil work related to the organization.

Prasar Bharati, as the public broadcaster of the country, is the most important vehicle of information, education, entertainment and engagement for the people especially in the remote areas of the country through Doordarshan and All India Radio. Prasar Bharati played a stellar role in communicating public health messages and awareness to the public during the covid pandemic.

The BIND scheme will enable the public broadcaster to undertake a major upgradation of its facilities with better infrastructure which will widen its reach, including in the LWE, border and strategic areas and provide high quality content to the viewers. Another major priority area of the scheme is the development of high-quality content for both domestic and international audience and ensuring availability of diverse content to the viewers by upgradation of capacity of DTH platform to accommodate more channels. Purchase of OB vans and digital upgradation of DD and AIR Studios to make them HD ready will be also be done as part of the project.

At present, Doordarshan operates 36 TV channels including 28 regional channels and All India Radio operates more than 500 broadcasting centres. The Scheme will increase coverage of AIR FM transmitters in the country to 66% by geographical area and 80% by population up from 59% and 68% respectively.

The Scheme also envisages free distribution of over 8 lakh DD Free Dish STBs to people living in remote, tribal, LWE and border areas.

In addition to enhancing the scope of public broadcasting, the Project for modernization and augmentation of broadcast infrastructure also has the potential to generate indirect employment by way of manufacturing and services related to supply and installation of broadcast equipment. Content generation and content innovation for AIR & DD has the potential of indirect employment of persons with varied experience of different media fields in the content production sector including TV/Radio production, transmission and associated media related services. Further, the project for expansion of the reach of DD Free Dish is expected to generate employment opportunities in the manufacturing of the DD Free Dish DTH Boxes.

Government of India reiterates its commitment to the development, modernization and strengthening of Doordarshan and Akashvani (Prasar Bharati) infrastructure and services, which is a continuous process.

Related Business News

World Bank Increases GDP Estimate to 6.5% for 2025-26

The World Bank has raised its forecast for India's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate to 6.5% for the current fiscal year 2025-26. In its June forecast, the World Bank had projected it at 6.3%.In its South Asia scenario released on Tuesday, the World Bank stated that due to sustained str....

Big Shock to Tata Motors! 21,000 Crore Could Sink in Minutes

Tata Motors Shares: Tata Motors is likely to face a major loss of 21,000 crore rupees. In reality, this crisis has arisen due to a cyber attack on the company's subsidiary Jaguar Land Rover (JLR). Production has come to a halt at JLR's West Midlands and Merseyside factories in Britain. As a re....

Tata Steel Meramandali Drives Tree Plantation in Angul and Dhenkanal

In a joint initiative with the District Administrations of Angul and Dhenkanal, Tata Steel Meramandali (TSM) conducted an extensive tree plantation drive under the theme “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0”. Employee volunteers from TSM actively participated in planting saplings across key loc....

Indian Rupee Hits Record Low Against US Dollar, Gold and Silver Reach New Peaks

(Fast Mail):-- Amid the on-going trade war, the Indian rupee continues to decline against the US dollar. The rupee hit a new record low of 88.19, down from 88.30 on the previous Friday.The trade war is likely to maintain pressure on the rupee in the coming period. According to The Economic Tim....

India’s GDP Growth Sparks Enthusiasm, but Contradictions Sound Warning Bells

(Fast Mail):-- India’s GDP grew at a robust 7.8 per cent in the April-June 2025 quarter, a headline figure that garnered praise and reinforced the country’s reputation as one of the fastest-growing major economies. However, amid the celebrations, leading economists and banks ....