I&B Ministry, Prasar Bharati in appointment row

The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (I&B) and the board of public broadcaster Prasar Bharati are at loggerheads over the appointment of a director in the governing board. Sources said discontent was brewing at the top level of Prasar Bharati over a ministry instruction to appoint a serving IAS officer as member (personnel) of Prasar Bharati. The member (personnel) is responsible for all human resources and administrative decisions of the body and has a representation on the board. ARINDAM MAJUMDER & SHREYA JAI write

Not all is well at public broadcaster Prasar Bharati. The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (I&B) and the board of Prasar Bharati are at loggerheads over the appointment of a director in the governing board.

Sources said discontent was brewing at Prasar Bharati over a ministry instruction to appoint a serving IAS officer as member (personnel) of Prasar Bharati. The member (personnel) is responsible for all human resources and administrative decisions of the body and has a representation on the board. But, the Prasar Bharati Act, 1990, does not allow a serving bureaucrat to be appointed permanently in core management positions. However, the ministry wants to make an exception.

According to the agenda of the meeting, reviewed by Business Standard, the ministry wants an IAS officer to take charge to solve issues such as pay fixation, seniority, promotions, disciplinary proceedings and legal cases. “Based on the suggestions of a manpower audit, some tough decisions may have to be taken at Prasar Bharati. An IAS officer could be an asset in such circumstances. It is proposed that for at least one term, the post of member (personnel) be filled by an IAS officer, keeping the relevant recruitment provision in abeyance,” said the agenda of the meeting to be held today.

“It is going to be a stormy meeting. Prasar Bharati is an autonomous body and the ministry cannot dictate whom to appoint. The decision is taken by a committee headed by the Vice-President of India,” a source said. The Prasar Bharati board comprises a chairman, an executive member (CEO), a member (finance), a member (personnel), six part-time members, a representative of the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting and the director generals of All India Radio and Doordarshan as ex officio members. The position fell vacant after S C Panda retired in February last year. The ministry had advertised twice but was unable to select anyone. “Fifty-three candidates appeared for the position last time but no one was finalised by the committee,” a source said.

The position also becomes crucial as Prasar Bharati is trying to solve manpower challenges — part of revamping finances and viewership. The broadcaster has released a request for proposal through Broadcast Engineering Consultants India and will be finalising a private agency to carry out an audit. “Such a crucial position should be headed by a professional. The ministry is trying to undermine the autonomy of the organisation,” the source said.

The ministry wants an IAS officer to take charge but the Prasar Bharati Act does not allow a serving bureaucrat to be appointed