Member of Parliament Supongmeren Jamir has raised what he described as a “critical staffing crisis” affecting Akashvani Kendra Kohima and Doordarshan Kendra Kohima, bringing the issue to the attention of the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting under Rule 377 of the Lok Sabha on December 1.
According to data presented by the MP, Akashvani Kendra Kohima has “260 sanctioned posts, only 90 are filled, leaving 170 positions vacant (65% vacancy),” while Doordarshan Kendra Kohima has “only 55 posts occupied against a sanctioned strength of 144, resulting in 89 vacancies (62% vacancy).”
Jamir said the most alarming concern is the “complete absence of a full-time Head of Office (Station Director)” at both Kendras. He noted that administrative and operational control is currently being handled by a Deputy Director General based in Dibrugarh, Assam, an arrangement he said is “severely hampering daily functioning, causing inordinate delays in decision-making, approvals, and effective supervision of broadcast activities and maintenance centres across Nagaland.”
The MP stated that the “administrative vacuum and the massive number of vacancies are undermining the core function of Prasar Bharati,” pointing out that the broadcasters – vital for “Nagaland’s rich cultural heritage, linguistic diversity, and developmental narrative” – are struggling to carry out their mandate.
He further said that the “lack of recruitment and the non-posting of key administrative and technical personnel, including Directors, Deputy Directors, and Engineering staff, is unacceptable.” Jamir has sought urgent intervention from the Ministry to:
“Immediately appoint full-time, dedicated Heads of Office” for both Akashvani and Doordarshan Kendras in Kohima.
“Expedite the filling of all sanctioned vacant posts” to restore full functional capacity.
Address the “specific shortage of technical staff, including Technical Assistants (TAs) and Junior Technical Assistants (JTAs), particularly at AIR Kohima and the Local Radio Station in Mokokchung.”
Supongmeren Jamir assured the people of Nagaland that he will “persistently follow up on this matter” until tangible action is taken, reiterating that a strengthened and fully staffed public broadcasting system is “not just an administrative necessity but a democratic imperative” for the state.
