Centre to improve AIR’s reach in border villages on Indo-China border: Minister

The ministry will ensure supply of free Doordarshan DTH connections in far-flung areas in villages at Indo-China border.

To tackle the anti-India propaganda by the Chinese government effectively, the Indian government is improving the reach of All India Radio in the border village of Indo-China border said the union Information and Broadcasting, Minister Anurag Thakur while interacting with the Indian armed forces here on Thursday.

Thakur further announced that the ministry will ensure supply of free Doordarshan DTH connections in far-flung areas in villages at Indo-China border. ‘The better mobile connectivity to residents of these remote villages will be ensured soon and the government is committed to ensure better all-round connectivity to these areas,’ he added.

The minister said this during an interaction he had with the villagers at Karzok Village of Ladakh some 211 kilometres from Leh. To achieve the goal of reaching out to the people living in far-flung and border areas through the platform of DD, FreeDish, the government has proposed to distribute 1.5 lakh free FreeDish connections in villages in border areas, an official spokesman said.

Asserting that the Government is committed to development of border villages, Thakur assured the local villagers that their demands of better digital connectivity and road connectivity, enhancing tourism infrastructure, sports infrastructure and improved Jal Jeewan Mission will also be implemented on priority basis.

As part of the government’s vibrant village programme, the union minister embarked on a comprehensive three-day tour to Leh-Ladakh, during which he stayed in Karzok village, held meeting with UT and District officials to review Central and State Government Schemes and distribution of Sports equipment at Karzok, interacted with the ITBP jawans at Karzok platoon post located about 15,000 feet above sea level on Indo-China Border.

Aiming to assess the reach of various projects and schemes of the government and also gain first hand understanding of the challenges faced by the residents in remote border village on Indo-China border, the minister held close interaction with the local villagers and also administrative officials.

Accompanied by a team of officials and local representatives, Minister Thakur interacted with local villagers in Kharnak and Samad among others and listened to their concerns and aspirations. At Kharnak, he inaugurated the PMGSY road connecting the highway of Dadh Kharnak.

Additionally, while interacting with the jawans of the 37th ITBP Post, Thakur spoke about the reforms undertaken by the government to provide all facilities for the forces posted at the border such as improved combat wear, armament, Make in India initiative and pensions, etc.