MUMBAI: Radio Kashmir's Yuv-Vani 103.5 will go off-air on 1 June 2014, which will be a pan India move by Prasar Bharati. According to an official, the decision was a cost cutting measure adopted by Delhi headquartered All India Radio.

The official termed the move as a "visionless decision". "Yuv-Vani is appreciated across India and many people enjoy it," sources said. However, people employed as casuals will end up losing their jobs and permanent employees will most likely be transferred or moved to other departments. "The administration re-shuffle has already started", stressed the official.

The service was launched on 21 July 1969. The order issued by the director of All India Radio stated that all the stations across India should stop its transmission by the beginning of next month.

The official added that youth in many regions, especially Kashmir, had enjoyed the programs the channel was running for ages now as it addressed concerns and issues related to youth on a daily basis.

Yuv-Vani is currently being transmitted on short wave. Meanwhile, Radio Kashmir still wants to continue its program catering to youth, so they have devised other plans for the same.

However, Jammu State Morcha (JSM) appealed to Parkash Javadekar to withdraw the order issued by the Information and Broadcasting Ministry to close down the Yuva Vani Service. In the letter to the concerned ministry, it has been explained that the Yuv-Vani channel has done a good job from the date of its inception in 1974, by holding programs concerning youth of Jammu region.