Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 28: A delegation of Doordarshan Approved Drama Artists Association (DADAA) here today called on Anurag Thakur, Union Minister and demanded satellite (DTH) Duggar Channel.
A memorandum of demands was also submitted to the Minister.
The delegation was led by J.S Babli, DADAA president and it comprised of Madan Rangila, vice president and Janak Khajuria, secretary cum spokesperson.
The delegation members said that Duggar Channel is their main demand to promote, protect and develop the rich culture, heritage and languages spoken in Duggar land and also generate employment for artists and others.
They further said that over one crore people from Mirpur, Bhimber, Bag, Siyalkot and Shakargarh in Pakistan and Gurdaspur, Pathankot and Hoshiarpur in Punjab and some portion of Himachal Pradesh speak Dogri.
DADAA president apprised the Union Minister that being near to the International Border and Line of Control, Jammu is a suitable place to counter anti-India propaganda from Pakistan side.
Babli informed the Minister that about ten thousand artists, producers, technician, musician and spot boys of Union Territory are totally dependent on Doordarshan and they are facing starvation as till date the production of drama and serials is totally stopped because the budget is not provided.
The delegation members also said that PGF Rajouri is also dependent on DDK Jammu as no separate budget in granted for that and Kashmiri migrant artists are also fed from DDK Jammu’s grant.
The Minister was requested for granting budget for DDK Jammu and restoration of in-house programmes in the categories of drama, serials and developmental programmes.
The Union Minister assured to take the matter with concerned authorities.