Latest I&B Ministry appointment re-ignites debate on autonomy of Prasar Bharati

With both Doordarshan and All India Radio under the domain of Prasar Bharati, all their officials are mandated to report to the public broadcaster.

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The latest appointment order has yet again sparked the debate on whether the I&B ministry is trying to maintain a stranglehold on Prasar Bharati’s affairs.

When contacted, Prasar Bharati CEO Jawhar Sircar said, “We have not received any orders. The board will decide when we know what the facts are.”

Prasar Bharati officials, who did not wish to be named, said they had been taken aback by this latest order, more so because its copies were not marked to even Prasar Bharati chairperson A Surya Prakash or Sircar.

Sources indicated that the top officials were likely to take the matter up with the I&B ministry soon.

When contacted, Prakash said he was out of Delhi and was not in a position to comment on the matter.

I&B Secretary Bimal Julka said, “There’s no question of us interfering with the autonomy of Prasar Bharati. Its autonomy is guaranteed by an Act passed by the Parliament. This officer’s appointment is related to the restructuring of our New Media Wing and for that she will need to report to the ministry. In her role as DG of DD News, she’ll report to the Prasar Bharati authorities.”