Nagaland MP flags severe staff crisis at AIR & Doordarshan Kohima

Guwahati: Nagaland Lok Sabha MP Supongmeren Jamir has expressed strong concern over what he described as a deepening administrative and manpower crisis at Akashvani (AIR) and Doordarshan Kendras 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.

Supongmeren told the House that both Kendras are struggling to function due to massive staff shortages and the absence of full-time leadership.

He shared official figures showing that Akashvani Kohima has only 90 employees against a sanctioned strength of 260, leaving 170 posts unfilled—an alarming 65% vacancy.

Doordarshan Kohima, he added, has just 55 staff members despite having approval for 144 posts, resulting in 89 vacancies or 62%.

He emphasised that the most serious issue is the lack of a full-time Station Director at either Kendra.

At present, a Deputy Director General based in Dibrugarh, Assam, handles administrative duties for both establishments.

Supongmeren argued that remote supervision has caused delays in approvals, decision-making, and day-to-day management, ultimately affecting broadcast operations across Nagaland.

The MP warned that this leadership gap and chronic understaffing are weakening Prasar Bharati’s mandate to highlight Nagaland’s culture, languages, and development stories. 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.

Supongmeren urged the Ministry to appoint full-time Heads of Office for both AIR and Doordarshan in Kohima and to expedite recruitment to fill the sanctioned positions.

He also called for urgent reinforcement of technical staff, particularly at AIR Kohima and the Local Radio Station in Mokokchung.

He stated that he will keep pressing the issue until the situation improves, stressing that well-functioning public broadcasting units are essential for strengthening democratic communication in Nagaland.