Govt should meet all expenses towards workers: Prasar Bharati

Broadcaster Prasar Bharati on Wednesday proposed that the government meet all expenses on its workers’ salaries and allowances, besides framing new recruitment rules.

In a meeting held here on Wednesday, the Prasar Bharati board approved a funding pattern to replace the existing provision that requires its commercial revenue to meet at least 50 per cent of operating expenses. The board members felt that given the nature of the public broadcaster, a more pragmatic formula needed to be evolved.

On its part, Prasar Bharati would meet 50 per cent of the operating expenses and 100 per cent of the expenses for work related to programming.

The proposed funding pattern is being forwarded to the information and broadcasting ministry to be placed before a group of ministers, for a final decision.

The board also forwarded to the government new recruitment rules for 196 cadres of Prasar Bharati employees.

“This was long overdue and non-existence of these rules, ever since Prasar Bharati came into being in 1996, was a major reason for a huge backlog in filling the vacancies and making vital appointments in the public broadcaster,” a member said.

The board has also proposed extensive amendment of the Prasar Bharati Act, to be referred to the government for consideration.

“This was felt necessary, especially in the the recent past, when serious reservations and questions have been raised on propriety, accountability of Prasar Bharati by various bodies in the government and others,” he added.