The talk show, ‘Jan Seva Samvad’, is set to feature ministers and legislators. I&B minister Smriti Irani was the first guest, and showered praise on the PM.
New Delhi: With crucial elections around the corner, public broadcaster All India Radio has started a new programme series called ‘Jan Seva Samvad’ to help the central government spread the word about its achievements and flagship schemes.
The programme, a talk show, will be used by ministers, legislators, and senior government functionaries to amplify its message ahead of this year’s assembly polls and next year’s Lok Sabha elections. It is also designed to dispel false information, and even serve as a platform to counter the opposition.
Information and broadcasting minister Smriti Irani was the guest for the first ‘Jan Seva Samvad’, aired Saturday, which was broadcast over the entire AIR network, including its FM channels. Through the programme, the minister praised the PM, his government’s achievements, and the pro-poor measures it has adopted.
She also launched an attack on the opposition on the issue of the washed out budget session of Parliament, saying those who try and hurt democracy will have to face the PM – someone who “honours democracy not by hindering anyone’s work, but by carrying out a fast to express his anguish” over the non-performance of Parliament.
She added that despite repeated requests from government and its representatives, the opposition was not willing to discuss issues, because had there been any discussion, all would have been clear.
Irani also said that several parties try to garner votes from the poor before polls, but nobody ever has thought about the poor woman who coughs in her kitchen because of the smoke, highlighting the government’s Ujjwala programme. She mentioned several other achievements of the Centre, such as Ayushman Bharat (the recently-announced national health insurance scheme), and saving tax payers’ money.
Irani added that AIR should feature other ministers from the central and state governments and legislators who are involved in the task of furthering the dreams of the Prime Minister’s New India. Modi already features regularly on AIR, for his monthly ‘Mann Ki Baat’ programme.
All India Radio, along with television sibling Doordarshan, used to function under the ministry of information and broadcasting until the creation of Prasar Bharati – the autonomous umbrella body for public broadcasting – in 1997.