NEW DELHI: Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Minister Jitendra Singh, has requested Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar to immediately restore the Yuva Vani services of All India Radio Service from Jammu.

Singh took serious exception to the earlier order to discontinue this service without assigning any convincing reasons and requested the Minister to review this decision.

Singh said the Yuva Vani service was started from All India Radio Jammu in 1973 with a view to encourage young talent and provide an outlet for youth broadcasters and youth artistes. Over the years, it had proved to be highly popular among radio listeners in general and youth in particular, he added.

He also pointed out to the reports that the earlier Government`s decision was politically motivated and said that this sends out a negative signal at a time when there is an all out effort to provide fair governance without any discrimination.

Singh said a large number of youth got the opportunity to exhibit their artistic talent from that region through Yuva Vani programmes.

Further, this programme has been able to create a sense of belongingness among the people and reinforce integration of the local population into the national mainstream.