IGNOU in talks with Prasar Bharti for Gyan Vani

IGNOU in talks with Prasar Bharti over Gyan Vani issue

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IGNOU in talks with Prasar Bharti for Gyan Vani

After the All India Radio (AIR)'s decision to took all the 37 Gyan Vani stations off air, Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) is in talks with Prasar Bharti to resolve the matter.

The decision was taken on October 1, 2014 on account of outstanding dues which the university failed to pay. However, the university officials said they were hopeful of an early settlement of the issue even as they assert that the AIR had "suddenly" raised the fee last year, according to reports.

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IGNOU's radio channel Gyan Vani - a move launched in 2001 - was aimed at educating million of listeners, who were dependent on the station for various local, educational and socio-cultural needs.

IGNOU's Electronic Media Production Centre (EMPC) was the producer of the interactive educational programme for students in English, Hindi and other local languages and AIR broadcast it every day between 6am and 11am, with a repeat airing of it between 5pm and 10pm.

Director General of AIR F. Sheharyar said they had sent several reminders to IGNOU for the release of payment. "However, the IGNOU failed to make payment of outstanding dues in spite of continuous persuasion by AIR resources. IGNOU did not respond even to the request by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for release of outstanding dues," a daily quoted him as saying.

Thousands of Gyan Vani listeners are hoping for a speedy negotiation between the AIR and IGNOU as it caters to the needs of metro cities as well as disadvantaged sections of the society located in the remote and distant areas of the country.