Shekhawat, Somnath launch Parliament channels

With this, the Indian Parliament joins a select group of countries, including the US and Australia, with a channel dedicated to it.

‘‘This will make parliamentarians more responsible and debates more purposeful,’’ the Speaker told the gathering.

Chatterjee said this would also help people get first-hand knowledge of the working of the highest institution of democracy.

Shekhawat said the live telecast would make members more alert and enable people to see how their problems are dealt with in a democratic manner.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said the step would instil greater confidence in the people about democratic institutions.

According to rough estimates, the cost of transmitting each channel — one for the Lok Sabha and the other for the Rajya Sabha — round the clock would work up to Rs 120 crore annually. This would be minus the cost for hiring a transponder if ISRO chooses to waive the amount.

As Parliament is in operation for 120 days a year, the Prasar Bharati Corporation is working on several ideas to fill the channel for the remaining days when it is not in session.

For a start, the Corporation is working on the idea of getting each MP to unleash his vision for developing his constituency. ‘‘It is a beginning. We can look into the wealth of information and archival material that Parliament has to telecst to the viewers,’’ officials sources said. They have to work out fast once the Budget session is over.

Officials are also looking at the American C-Span model for inspiration. But these are long-term plans. For now, the channels are switched off when not in operation.