Kohima: Nagaland Lok Sabha MP Supongmeren Jamir has voiced concern over the administrative and staff shortage at Akashvani (AIR) and Doordarshan Kendra in Kohima.
He raised the issue in Parliament on December 1 under Rule 377, urging the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to intervene without delay.
Jamir told the House that both Kendras are struggling to function due to massive staff shortages and the absence of full-time leadership.
Data presented by the MP highlighted a staggering gap between sanctioned posts and actual staffing. At Akashvani Kendra Kohima, only 90 out of 260 sanctioned posts are filled, leaving 170 positions vacant—a 65 percent vacancy.
Similarly, Doordarshan Kendra Kohima has just 55 staff members against a sanctioned strength of 144, resulting in 89 vacant posts, a 62 percent vacancy.
The most critical issue is the complete absence of a full-time Head of Office (Station Director) at both Kendras. Administrative and operational control is currently being managed remotely by a Deputy Director General based in Dibrugarh, Assam.
Jamir argued that remote supervision has caused delays in approvals, decision-making, and day-to-day management, ultimately affecting broadcast operations across Nagaland.
He emphasised that this administrative vacuum and widespread vacancies are undermining the core mission of Prasar Bharati—to serve as a platform for Nagaland’s rich cultural heritage, linguistic diversity, and developmental narrative.
The institutions, he said, are vital for national integration and local empowerment but are struggling to perform effectively.
He described the prolonged failure to post key personnel—such as Directors, Deputy Directors, and engineering staff—as unacceptable for a public broadcaster serving a sensitive and diverse region.
He has sought intervention from the Ministry to immediately appoint full-time Heads of Office for both Akashvani and Doordarshan Kendras in Kohima, expedite the filling of all vacant sanctioned posts to restore functional capacity, and address the shortage of technical staff, including Technical Assistants and Junior Technical Assistants, particularly at AIR Kohima and the Local Radio Station in Mokokchung.
ALSO READ: Nagaland–Toyota partnership aims to improve healthcare, learning systems
Jamir assured the people of Nagaland that he would continue to pursue the matter with the authorities until concrete measures were taken to strengthen the public service broadcasters. He emphasised that a well-resourced and fully staffed Akashvani and Doordarshan is not merely an administrative requirement but a democratic necessity for the state.
