Karnataka government's own TV channel to trumpet Siddaramaiah's feats'

Bengaluru: The state government plans to have its own bilingual (English and Kannada) television channel to broadcast developmental programmes related to the Department of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj by December this year.

Tentatively named the ‘Gram Swaraj’ channel, it has received the thumbs up from the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj ministry, which has sent it to the Finance Department for clearance. “As private television channels are not interested in development stories, the department has decided to start a channel of its own to highlight them, after consultation with the heads of various media houses. The channel will be on the lines of the Chandana, a Kannada channel owned by Prasar Bharati,” said official sources, adding that the project could cost around Rs 10 crore to execute. A private consultant firm, which has reportedly been engaged for the launch of the channel, is expected to help with the setting up of studios and other groundwork.

A government building in Jakkur could be converted into a television studio and the channel could use the satellite access the RDPR has in Mysuru, Dharwad, Kalaburgi and Bengaluru to conduct online training programmes and for interaction between its Minister, H K Patil and district authorities, sources reveal. “There’s a lot of development in rural areas but this is not being highlighted by private television channels. The proposed 24 X 7 channel will telecast success stories from all over the state to help people keep track of the rapid transformation taking place in its villages.

The proposal is now pending before the finance department. Once it is approved , it will be tabled in the Cabinet for ratification. Our endeavor is to start the new bi-lingual channel before the end of the current year," sources added.