Govt panel recommends effective freedom for Prasar Bharati

Committee suggested developing a funding mechanism for Prasar Bharati to address the need for autonomy with financial accountability

Suggesting that Prasar Bharati is not really autonomous as it should be, a committee appointed by the government has recommended amendment to the Act of 1990 to give "effective" freedom to the public broadcaster with administrative and financial powers.

 

The committee, headed by technocrat Sam Pitroda, suggested developing a funding mechanism for Prasar Bharati to address the need for autonomy with financial accountability.

 

It also sought to give the organisation the power to frame rules and regulations for its employees without requiring government approval as it recommended absorption of government employees as full-time staff of Prasar Bharati and hiring skilled professionals.

 

The report, presented to Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari here today, recommended "amending the Prasar Bharati Act 1990 where necessary so as to impart genuine and effective autonomy to the organisation."

 

It also called for reorganisation of the Prasar Bharati board to make it a professionally managed body effective in guiding the organisation.

 

Tewari said his ministry would "seriously, studiously and diligently" examine the recommendations.

 

"Enough discussions on these recommendation have taken place and I hope and we start implementing some of them if not all of them. We cannot wait for too long to start implementation," Pitroda told reporters while releasing the report.

 

The committee will have a meeting with the Ministry next week to discuss the report and take it ahead, he said.