Govt’s electronic policy finds a `compere’ in Sushma

In attendance were all senior officers whom Swaraj met for a detailed discussion on the Prasar Bharati ordinance later in the day. She also met her predecessor S Jaipal Reddy.

She is likely to find great support within her Ministry on curtailing the powers of the Prasar BharatiBoard.

But when asked if she would sack Board members, Swaraj was taken aback. To another specific question about her criticism of the Board’s functioning, Swaraj said that had been aired as a candidate, not Minister.

“I have no preconceived notions or prejudices on this matter,” she reiterated. She struck a conciliatory note even on the Broadcasting Bill, where she said the evidence presented to the Joint Parliamentary Committee which has lapsed, would be taken into consideration. “I myself was a member of that committee,” she said, and fended off questions about foreign equity and mandatory uplinking.

Underlining the need for attending to the Prasar Bharati Corporation’s working, Swaraj said it had become necessary because the Corporation had been brought into operation through a Presidential ordinance. If the ordinance was not ratified immediately by Parliament, it would lapse. She reiterated that the Broadcasting Bill could not be delayed any longer and a “national media policy” was a must.She even received the blessings of one Madhava Siva Swamy, a swami from Andhra Pradesh, who said he had “predicted the BJP would come to power”.