Catching a snooze during a particularly exciting speech on tax reforms by a fellow MP--- a la H.D. Deve Gowda--- will never be the same again. After stinging politicians mercilessly, pesky hidden cameras have invaded that sacred precinct of politicians -Parliament.
Thanks to the twin 24x7 channels on Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha, TV cameramen do not have to restrict themselves to shots from the visitors' galleries. Instead, hi-tech gizmos fitted on the desks --- akin to the cameras hidden in cricket stumps-would subject every small gesture --- yawn, thump or cheer - to close scrutiny.
One relief, the new camera revolution will have to wait, at least till the end of the current financial year. The equipment is too costly, a Lok Sabha Secretariat official told HT.
The trial run for the Lok Sabha channel has already begun and come Monsoon Session, the exclusive channels, for both the Houses, will be in place to challenge Doordarshan's dominance.
The delay is due to plans to make the Parliament channels open to advertisements. To begin with, only the PSUs can advertise on the channels.
At a later date, the ministries would also be able to publicise their public welfare schemes, the official said. “It will be done only to the extent of covering the channels' cost of production." The companies who advertise on the channels will have their logos displayed on the particular segment of the House proceedings they sponsor. The brands could also be in the form of a small scroll moving on the TV screen.
{{/usCountry}}At a later date, the ministries would also be able to publicise their public welfare schemes, the official said. “It will be done only to the extent of covering the channels' cost of production." The companies who advertise on the channels will have their logos displayed on the particular segment of the House proceedings they sponsor. The brands could also be in the form of a small scroll moving on the TV screen.
{{/usCountry}}Interestingly, Parliament's TV network would be technically independent of the Prasar Bharati from the monsoon session. It has already booked a transponder on INSAT4 for its channels.
House proceedings apart, the channels will telecast programmes related to culture, tourism and other social aspects of the country. “Some non-controversial award winning films will also be shown," the official disclosed.