Ministry:
Information and Broadcasting
- The Prasar Bharati (Broadcasting Corporation of India) Amendment Bill, 2010 was introduced in the Rajya Sabha on August 31, 2010 by the Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Shrimati Ambika Soni. The Bill was referred to the Standing Committee on Information Technology on September 08, 2010 which is scheduled to submit its report in two months.
- The Bill amends the Prasar Bharati (Broadcasting Corporation of India) Act, 1990 which establishes the Broadcasting Corporation (Prasar Bharati) and defines its composition, functions and powers.
- The Prasar Bharati was established on November 23, 1997 and consists of Akashvani (All India Radio) and Doordarshan. The primary function is to provide public broadcasting services.
- The Act allows the central government to transfer officers and employees serving in Akashvani and Doordarshan to Prasar Bharati on certain conditions.
- The Bill amends the provisions to state that all posts in Akashvani and Doordarshan other than some specified posts shall be deemed to have been transferred to the Prasar Bharati with effect from April 1, 2000. The specified posts are: officers and employees of the Indian Information Service, the Central Secretariat Service or any cadre outside Akashvani and Doordarshan but connected to Prasar Bharati. It also lists the conditions of transfer.
- All employees and officers recruited to Akashvani or Doordarshan shall be deemed to be on deputation till retirement if they were appointed before April 1, 2000. Officers and employees recruited on April 1, 2000 till October 5, 2007 shall be deemed to be on deputation to Prasar Bharati.
- Any person recruited after October 5, 2007 shall be officers and employees of Prasar Bharati. These officers and employees shall be entitled to the pay benefits of a central government employee but no deputation allowance.
- Prasar Bharati shall have the disciplinary and supervisory powers over these employees, except the power to impose compulsory retirement or dismissal from service. These powers can be exercised by the central government.
