Meira Kumar gives marching orders to Lok Sabha TV CEO

Days before her exit as speaker, Meira Kumar has given the Lok Sabha TV CEO his marching orders with immediate effect without citing any reason.

The official, Rajiv Mishra, told IANS that no reason was given to him for ending his tenure in a sudden manner.

The letter dated May 30, a copy of which is with IANS, said "the speaker has limited the tenure of Shri Rajiv Mishra as Chief Executive of LSTV till May 31, 2014".

Attempts to contact Meira Kumar did not succeed.

Mishra alleged that his exit was to do with the channel flashing the news of Meira Kumar having lost the Sasaram seat in Bihar.

"My colleagues told me that Madam was angry that the channel ran the flash of her having lost the Sasaram seat," Mishra told IANS.

Meira Kumar is caretaker speaker of the lower house till the new house is sworn in. The 16th Lok Sabha meets June 4-12 during which the new MPs will take oath and a new speaker elected.

Mishra, whose contract had been extended on Dec 17, 2013 "until further orders", claimed that under him the Lok Sabha TV channel has been showing profits.

The staff of Lok Sabha TV channel have written to the speaker urging her to review the decision and reinstate Mishra.