Broadcast Bill Panel Seeks More Time

Members of the parliamentary joint select committee on the broadcast bill yesterday sought more time to examine the measure, stressing that it should not be passed in a hurry.

The committee, which met for the second consecutive day, was briefed at length on the provisions of the bill by secretaries in the ministries of information and broadcasting, law and company affairs besides the Telecom Commission chairman. Earlier, Sharad Pawar, chairman of the parliamentary committee, indicated that it might be difficult to stick to the July 23 deadline for submission of the report to Parliament.

While views from the public have been invited till July 7, the committee has decided to hear them in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and other centres on July 15-18. Pawar said discussion by members would take place after July 18. Former information & broadcasting minister K P Singh Deo wanted to know whether the Centre had the right to advice DD to broadcast certain programmes in public interest.