GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2210
(TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.03.2018)
CLOSURE OF ATTS AND LPTS
2210. SHRI E.T. MOHAMMED BASHEER:
DR. SHASHI THAROOR:
SHRI JOSE K. MANI:

Will the MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state:
(a) whether Prasar Bharati has decided to shut down the existing Analog Terrestrial Transmitters (ATTs) and Low Power Transmitters (LPTs) in the country including 14 LPTs in Kerala, without planning for digital transmitters as a replacement and if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor, State-wise;
(b) whether Prasar Bharati has consulted its employees/associations while making this decision and if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government proposes to close the analog transmission in the affected areas only after the commencement of digital transmission and if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether it was decided to close Analog Transmissions by 2030 and if so, the details thereof and the reasons for closure of TV relay centres prior to this deadline; and
(e) whether the Prasar Bharati has not yet ordered redeployment of the employees working in the LPT relay stations and hence these people face the risk of losing their job and if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
{COL RAJYAVARDHAN RATHORE (Retd.)}
(a) to (e) Prasar Bharati has informed that as a part of technological upgradation and migration from analog to digital the world over, DD has also embarked on digitalization of its network. The process of digitalization of transmitters has been started in a phased manner. Digital terrestrial transmitters (DTT) have already been installed at 19 locations in India in phase-I.
In addition to terrestrial transmission, Doordarshan operates its free to air DTH service “DD Free Dish” enabling viewers to access TV Channels free of cost with the help of small size cost effective dish receiver units. DTH signals can be received anywhere in the country, including Kerala. Prasar Bharati has issued order for closure of 272 analog terrestrial transmitters including 14 transmitters in Kerala (10 Low Power Transmitters and 4 Very low Power Transmitters). Order for closure of 38 Analogue Terrestrial transmitters at 18 locations including Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala has been issued where DTTs have already been commissioned. State/UT-wise details of above transmitters ordered for closure may be accessed at the following link: http://www.ddindia.gov.in/AboutDD/Pages/Doordarshan-Transmitters.aspx.
Redeployment of Staff rendered surplus on account of migration from analog to digital is undertaken as per requirement.
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Relevance 

I &B Ministry on the issue of closure of  Analog Terrestrial Transmitters (ATTs) and Low Power Transmitters (LPTs)

Analogue Terrestrial Transmitters (ATTs) and Low Cost Transmitters (LCTs) are traditional transmitters used for broadcasting Doordarshan’s network, serving about 88% of the population. With digitalisation, they can be replaced with digital terrestrial transmitters (DTTs) that can broadcast not just one, but multiple channels at once. Recently, Prasar Bharati has decided to shut down the existing Analog Terrestrial Transmitters (ATTs) and Low Power Transmitters (LPTs) in the country, including 14 LPTs in Kerala, without functioning DDTs installed. This order is ineffective because the closure of ATTs and LPTs should have been executed only after the commencement of digital transmission to ensure a smooth transition. Considering the official deadline for closure of ANTs is 2030, the order to close them in 2018 only after commissioning DDTs is rushed and lacks planning. Most importantly, the order has been signed off without the consultation of its employees/associations. This would cause mass scale disturbance and transfers of staff, with many being left unemployed without functioning DTTs to work for.