Rs 4,342 cr allocated to MIB for 2024-25, against proposed Rs 5,017 cr

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has been allocated Rs. 4342.00 crore for the financial year 2024-25, as per the Demands for Grants (2024-25) presented to the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on December 18, 2024. This allocation falls short of the proposed Rs. 5017.64 crore by a difference of Rs. 675.64 crore.

The budgetary breakdown for 2024-25 includes Rs. 566.41 crore for Establishment Expenditure of the Centre as against the proposed Rs. 640.80 crore, Rs. 1004.31 crore for Central Sector Schemes against the proposed Rs. 1576.24 crore and Rs. 2771.83 crore for other central expenditure, including CPSEs and Autonomous Bodies against the proposed Rs. 2800.60 crore.

This reduction in the allocation reflects a shift towards fiscal prudence, with the government revising its budget priorities for the media and broadcasting sector, as seen over the past four years in the Ministry's estimates and actual expenditures.

The details of the budgetary allocations and actual expenditure (BE, RE & AE), under the aforesaid three categories during the last four years and the BE (Budget Estimate) allocations for the year 2024-25, are as under:-

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting was asked to provide reasons for any underutilization of funds during 2023-24, particularly in the Establishment Expenditure of the Centre (which includes the establishment expenditure of the Main Secretariat and attached/subordinate offices) and the Central Sector Schemes.

In response, the Ministry clarified that optimal utilization of funds was achieved, with approximately 97.94% of the allocated Budget Estimate (BE) for 2023-24 being utilized in the Establishment Expenditure. Similarly, for the Central Sector Schemes, the Ministry reported a utilization of 100.95% of the allocated Revised Estimate (RE) for 2023-24.

Further, the Ministry stated that the percentage of Actual Expenditure with respect to the Film, Information, and Broadcasting Sectors was 92.97%, 117.10%, and 92.96%, respectively, indicating optimal fund utilization.

Regarding the reduction in the Budgetary Estimate (BE) for the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in 2024-25 compared to 2023-24, the Ministry acknowledged a shortfall of approximately Rs. 300 crore. It outlined steps to address this gap, ensuring that the reduction in the BE would not negatively affect the continuation of existing schemes or newly announced ones, if any, the Ministry replied as under:-

“It may be observed from the table that there is no reduction in the budget under the Establishment category. However, there is reduction of Rs 100.69 crore under Central Sector Scheme i.e., Broadcasting Infrastructure and Network Development (BIND) Scheme. Further, there was a reduction of Rs279.67 crore under the Other Central Expenditure Budget of the Ministry which is attributable to retirement of government employees who are on deemed deputation in Prasar Bharati, resulting in reduced demand in respect of pay and allowances as well as retirement benefits,” the report said.

The report also mentioned that the reasons for reduced demand during FY 2024-25 including under the BIND Scheme are: -

1)Time taken in framing specifications of new projects like Visual-Radio, which were first of its kind

2)Erection of tower works due to technical and administrative issues

3) Process of seeking the Make in India (MII) Exemption for procurement of electronic equipment

4) Multiple attempts for tender procurement of 1,20,000 DTH sets for distribution in tribal, remote and Left Wing Extremism (LWE) areas, etc. Technical evaluation of tenders, received towards procurement of 1.2 Lakh DTH Receiver sets [Non-Conditional Access System (CAS)] + 7.5 Lakh DTH Receiver sets, envisaged to be procured under Project mode, was proceeded with. However, now the Ministry is considering adopting the Direct Benefit Transfer mode for distributing the STBs for DD Free Dish, and the modalities are being worked out, in consultation with MHA and pending litigation.