MR. SPEAKER: Repeat it.

SHRI C.P. MUDALA GIRIYAPPA: There is toot switch system through which all the major Kendras in the country can contribute to national mews bulletins. But I under-

Oral Answers 38

stand that this hot switch system is not being used at present. Does it not prove that facilities are there but they are not being util- ised?

SHRI AJIT PANJA: It may not. Technical developments are taking place almost every day in this system and, therefore, it may be that some changes have taken place in hot switch. We have found out that some change of technology has taken place. If I come to know hot switch of which station, certainly I will be able to answer. But generally we have not received any such complaint or any such point that hot switches all over are not being utilised. We have not received any such complaint.

SHRI K.H. MUNIYAPPA: I would like to know whether the existing facility to have a round-the-clock national net work both for television and radio through satellite and micro-wave link and the abundant facilities a which All India Radio has to have more than one national channel have been fully untilised or whether they are not utilised for want of political will and committed technical skill. If they are not utilised, will the hon. Minister be pleased to state the reasons thereof and the steps taken by the Centre in this regard.

SHRI AJIT PANJA: As far as Doordarshan is concerned, we have submitted a proposal for second national network N.2 to the Planning Commission and I replied here that has been accepted informally. But we have not yet received any written confirmation. So far as Radio is concerned, it is functioning now with several Channels. There is no such demand.

39 Written Answers