Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Wednesday jointly launched Sansad TV at the Main Committee Room. The launch date coincides with the International Day of Democracy.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, PM Modi said, “Today is International Day of Democracy, launch of ‘Sansad TV’ becomes more relevant.When it comes to democracy, India’s responsibility increases. India is the mother of democracy. For us democracy is not just a constitutional structure, but a spirit, it’s ‘jeevan dhara'”

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According to reports, the programmes on Sansad TV will primarily be in four categories — functioning of Parliament and democratic institutions, governance and implementation of schemes and policies, history and culture of India and issues, interests and concerns of contemporary nature.

It is also said that the integrated platform was conceptualised nearly two years ago after a panel led by Prasar Bharati CEO Surya Prakash submitted a report approving a common platform for two channels.

In February 2021, the decision to merge Lok Sabha TV and Rajya Sabha TV was taken and the CEO of Sansad TV was appointed in March 2021.

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The Lok Sabha TV (LSTV) was founded in July 2006 and was aimed to let people know what their elected representatives are saying in the Parliament.

The Rajya Sabha TV (RSTV), covering the proceedings of the Upper House, was a public cable television channel owned and operated by the Rajya Sabha. Apart from the LIVE proceedings of Rajya Sabha, the channel would also broadcast knowledge-based programmes.