Sushma lists achievements in parting shot

She said the I&B Ministry had proposed a scheme on the lines of Army Group Insurance cover for working journalists. ‘‘We have received a scheme from the Life Insurance Company proposing Rs 10 lakh to journalist in the event of his/her death,’’ Swaraj said.

At an informal gathering today, the minister who has presided three times as I&B minister, said her new ministry – the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, would still be the biggest client of Doordarshan and All India Radio.

At nearly Rs 35 crores the Health ministry, trailed closely by the Rural Development ministry, spends crores on campaigning for various government projects. After that parting shot, the Minister capped of her list of achievements, namely getting the Prasar Bharati Board fully constituted. When Swaraj took over, the Board was headless and minus members to give direction to 30 thousand employees of Doordarshan and All India Radio.

Swaraj leaves behind a full-time CEO and a Prasar Bharati Board constituted with part-time members. Other decisions taken during her tenure, was the policy of allowing limited foreign direct investment in newspapers and periodicals — virtually the first steps taken after nearly 40 years to open up the print sector.

Less than a month ago, Swaraj decided to give conditional access system a chance by getting crucial amendments passed in Parliament — making way for subscribers to pay for what they want to see.

If Swaraj has had the satisfaction of finishing most the work she had set to do, she does leave behind some work for her successor Ravi Shankar Prasad who takes over as Information Minister with independent charge tomorrow. To begin with, he will perhaps be asked to give a legal view on the subject of uplinking.