Balkh radio stations officials eye cut in electricity price

MAZAR-I-SHARIF (Pajhwok): Officials of local radio stations in northern Balkh province complain about high electricity tariff and demand a cut in its price.

Syed Mohammad Yazdanparast, chief of a private radio station in Balkh, said the absence of a national policy of broadcasting, duplicitous behavior of officials and threats to reporters were their main challenges.

In addition to resolving other problems, he asked the government to reduce electricity price.

He said the price of one kilowatt of electricity was around 17 afghanis, which was beyond their reach.

Munir Ahmad Bahir, owner of another radio station, also complained about high electricity price.

He asked the government to change the electricity price for radios from commercial to residential category because they were unable to pay it.

Some other officials of radio stations in the province made similar statements and asked the government for solution to these problems.

Gul Mohammad, a shopkeeper in Mazar-i-Sharif, said he has been listening to news and other programs on radio since last few decades.

He called radio the most essential source of news and information.

On the other hand, officials of information and culture department said they had provided necessary facilities for media in the province and assured reducing the price of electricity for them.

Zabihullah Noorani, information and culture director, said they were trying to provide necessary opportunities for the functioning of radio stations and would hold meetings for solution to their problems.

He said they had taken serious measures to address the problems of radio stations and the price of electricity would be reduced in near future.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has designated February 13 (today) as World Radio Day.

kk/ma