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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4356
(TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.03.2026)
AKASHWANI KARGIL STATION
4356. SHRI MOHMAD HANEEFA:
Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware of the fact that the Akashwani Kargil station, which
used to function as an independent and full-fledged station, due to a recent administrative
change, even lacks a dedicated Drawing and Disbursing Officer (DDO), leading to delays in
payments and other administrative hardships and is currently functioning under the Leh cluster
head which has severely hampered the dissemination of localized content;
(b) if so, the details of steps being taken by the Government to re-establish a separate
Cluster Head for Akashwani Kargil, appoint a DDO, strengthen local language programming
and upgrade transmission infrastructure to improve coverage in remote areas;
(c) if not, the reasons therefor; and
(d) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to enhance the production of
content in local languages and to create content that reflects the socio-cultural identity of the
region?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING; AND
PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS
[DR. L. MURUGAN]
(a) to (d):
Akashvani Kargil functions under Akashvani Leh Cluster. The Drawing and Disbursing
Officers (DDOs) across Prasar Bharati, including those at Leh and Kargil, have been
rationalized and merged as part of ongoing organisational restructuring. The measure aims to
improve operational and financial management through a more efficient and technology-driven
framework. Local programme operations and the broadcast of local content continue as before.
Akashvani Kargil operates Medium Wave (MW) and FM transmitters, along with transmitters
at Himbotingla, Drass, Tiesuru and Padum to serve the region. Further, a 5 kW FM (Mobile)
Transmitter has been approved under the Broadcasting Infrastructure and Network
Development (BIND) Scheme (2021–26) to enhance coverage. Akashvani Kargil broadcasts
programmes in Hindi, Urdu, English and local dialects such as Purgi, Balti and Shina, reflecting
the socio-cultural diversity in Ladakh.
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