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Category: Terrestrial

  • Review of Prasar Bharati functioning next week: Javadekar

    Review of Prasar Bharati functioning next week: Javadekar

    NEW DELHI: New Information and Broadcasting minister Prakash Javadekar today, replied to several questions regarding the media.

     

    He said that there will be a review next week of the functioning of Prasar Bharati. Complains about the government’s interference in the autonomy of the pubcaster would also be examined, he said.

     

    Referring to the media, he said the government had no intention of curbing the freedom of the press in any way.

     

    In an interview to Doordarshan, Javadekar emphasised that there was no need for the government to impose regulation if the self-regulatory bodies set up by the media themselves work well. However, he said that a study was being made of how radio can be regulated.

     

    Asked about the non-implementation of the Wage Board for Journalists and non-journalists in the print media, he said that he would talk to all the stakeholders including the organizations of mediapersons and the owners of media houses.

     

    He added that the government did not have the power to set up Wage Boards for anyone except its own employees, but had always set up Wage Boards for the media to uphold freedom of the press. 

  • DD, AIR to fast-track work on building archives and putting them in public domain

    DD, AIR to fast-track work on building archives and putting them in public domain

    NEW DELHI: Doordarshan and All India Radio have embarked upon a project to immortalise over 60 maestros such as Hindustani classical vocalist Pandit Jasraj and veteran playback singer Lata Mangeshkar along with their “signature performances.”

     

    The list of legendary artistes earmarked for the archival series project includes Hindustani vocalist Kishori Amonkar, Carnatic vocalists M Balamuralikrishna and Nedunuri Krishnamurthy, composer M S Viswanathan, Carnatic flautist N Ramani, Sarangi player Ustad Sabri Khan, and Mridangam maestro T K Murthy among others.

     

    While both AIR and Doordarshan already have extensive archives and work for archiving other works is in progress, Prasar Bharati CEO Jawhar Sircar said the main purpose of fast tracking the archival material of AIR and DD is to disseminate digital wealth to the public at large.

     

    Prasar Bharati has constituted a National Archival Committee of experts which includes Prema Cariappa, Shubha Chaudhuri, Uma Shankar, Suresh Chand Vankar and other senior officers from Doordarshan and AIR for the purpose of developing a roadmap.

    Doordarshan and AIR have already started compiling the data to ensure that the high-quality video and audio content is brought in the public domain.

     

    Prasar Bharati has instructed both Doordarshan and AIR to create a world class archival wing to digitize and fast track the development of its archival material.

     

    The task of indexation/categorisation/creation of metadata of the archived programmes so as to make them accessible at a later stage have already been initiated. The archival material would thus be repurposed and repackaged before it is being brought into the public domain.

     

    Noting that the reach of All India Radio and Doordarshan was the largest among all radio and TV channels and yet its advertising revenue was the lowest, a Parliamentary Committee had some years earlier said the public service broadcasters needs to project itself to the public.

     

    The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology said that according to the Information and Broadcasting Ministry both AIR and DD Archives can be a rich source of revenue generation.

     

    It said there is ‘urgent need’ to explore the ways to earn revenue nationally and internationally from these treasures on the part of the Ministry as well as All India Radio and Doordarshan.

     

    The Committee recommended that the details of the archives which can be made commercially available should be put on the website of Doordarshan/All India Radio/Ministry and publicised through various mechanisms which would definitely help in generating more revenue from this precious resource.

     

    The extent of revenue that can be generated through these archives is evident from the fact that the footage for one minute is provided by Doordarshan at the rate of Rs 6000 per minute to people making documentaries for telecast on any channel. The Committee was informed that 100 DVD titles have been handpicked from the Archive of Doordarshan and are available for viewing to the public at large.

  • Political appointees prefer to bid good-bye to Prasar Bharati following change of government

    Political appointees prefer to bid good-bye to Prasar Bharati following change of government

    NEW DELHI: Even as speculation continues to grow on the spate of resignations from the Board of the Prasar Bharati, it is learnt that one or two more members are expected to put in their papers.

     

    While no official comment was available with even Prasar Bharati CEO Jawhar Sircar declining to say anything, pubcaster sources said that these resignations could be due to the fact that they were political appointees.

     

    It is learnt that part-time members Dipa Dixit, Suman Dubey and CR Kesavan have put in their papers.

     

    Under the Prasar Bharati Act 1990, the part-time members have a term of six years and therefore cannot be removed before that term is over even if there is a change in government or the governance of Prasar Bharati.

     

    However, one source said that the members are believed to have resigned as a moral obligation since they were appointees of the previous government.

     

    It is also learnt that the members were apprehensive of greater interference in the working of the autonomous pubcaster, and the resignations could be termed as a ‘boycott’ or ‘protest’.

     

    Another source said that the members were also unhappy with the fact that there were crucial delays in not only filling vacancies in the Board, but also the vacancies that had been cleared by the Group of Ministers, as crucial to the function of the pubcaster.

     

    At present, the Prasar Bharati is without a chairperson as Mrinal Pande’s term has come to an end, and the posts of both the Executive Members in-charge of Personnel and Finance.

     

    Over 1100 persons are believed to have been selected by the selection committees for filling crucial posts, but these are not being cleared by the Government.

     

    The Prasar Bharati Board comprises its chairman, an executive member (chief executive officer), member (Finance), member (Personnel) and six part-time members.

    That apart, a representative of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the Directors General of All India Radio and Doordarshan are its ex-officio members.

  • Doordarshan revamps afternoon slots

    Doordarshan revamps afternoon slots

    NEW DELHI: The General Entertainment Channels (GECs) may not be too keen on adding fresh content to their afternoon slot, and this is where national public broadcaster has found an opportunity. DD National has launched a dedicated slot for afternoon shows of all colours, genres and emotions called ‘DD Dopahar…Aapke Ghar.’

     

    The slot, which commenced last week from 12 noon to 3.00 pm, has serials produced and directed by the big-wigs from the television and film fraternity, including Harry Baweja, Karan Razdan, Paintal, Sudhir Pandey and Maninee Dey.

     

    The bouquet is being showcased by DD National back to back, said Director General Tripurari Sharan, adding: “We are bringing in good programmes that are entertaining as well as socially relevant, with a slew of these new mid-time shows. Doordarshan is all geared to engage people by serving them a complete package, while fulfilling its role as a public service broadcaster.”

     

    The shows have a sprinkle of varied genres ranging from family drama, social dramas, romance to sitcoms, where issues like women empowerment and gender equality have been given unique place.

     

    The ‘DD Dopahar’ shows that aim to capture the heart and mind of the Indian viewers are six shows – Amrita, Lakeerein Kiismat Ki, Ghanteshwar Prasad Ghantewale, Chitthi Tere Naam Ki, Anudamini and Yeh Shaadi Hai Yaa Sauda.

     

    Amrita at noon is a heart-warming story of a widow, directed by Karan Razdan. The tale revolves around her obstacles of facing the cruel world and how she succeeds in the end. Watch out how Amrita personifies the saga of an Indian woman.

     

    Directed by Paintal, Lakkerein at 12.30 pm is a story of Asha, an honest lawyer and Sohanlal, her father. It is a saga of human emotions, of family ties, of circumstantial upheavals, of the weak fighting the strong and emerging as the winner.

     

    Ghanteshwar Prasad Ghantewale at 1.00 pm brings with him ladles of emotions, cups full of humour and a palate of wholesome entertainment.  It’s an entertaining sitcom with Sudhir Pandey playing the lead, staged in a ‘Halwai Ki Dukaan’.

     

    Chitthi Tere Naam Ki that follows is a romantic drama staged around a mystery of an undisclosed ‘letter’ found in a bottle in mysterious conditions by the main protagonist, Shivani.

     

    Anudamini at 2.00 pm is a family drama, with turns and twists, showcasing how Indian parents marry off their daughter’s without focussing much on their education and well-being.

     

    Yeh Shaadi Hai Yaa Sauda which follows this is a social drama, questioning the evil practices of selling daughters in the name of marriage. Plot revolves around Ambika, the lead protagonist, making women aware of their rights.

     

    Sharan added: “As we are aware of the viewership base during the targeted mid-prime time, we are well equipped and ready with our new shows thus hitting the right chords at the right time.”

     

  • Will private channels make ‘Godaan’ or ‘Mirza Ghalib’, asks Gulzar

    Will private channels make ‘Godaan’ or ‘Mirza Ghalib’, asks Gulzar

    NEW DELHI: Eminent lyricist and filmmaker Gulzar, who has been awarded the film industry’s highest Dada Saheb Phalke award for Life Time Achievement, has said that cinema is a mirror and only reflects what is happening in the society.

     

     

    He said that cinema cannot play the part of reformer but merely show through celluloid the ills in society and if these have a positive effect on society, it is incidental. Furthermore, cinema does show the mirror in a somewhat exaggerated manner to get the message home.

     

     

    Gulzar was speaking after releasing the DVDs of two telefilms – ‘Nirmala’ and ‘Godan’ based on Munshi Premchand’s novels – which he had directed for Doordarshan.

     

     

    Answering questions, Gulzar who will turn eighty later this year said that he had always learnt from his seniors and particularly paid a tribute to the late Bimal Roy who had given him his break in writing songs, and to music directors like Sachin Dev Burman and Madan Mohan.

     

     

    Referring to a question about the songs of yesteryears and those of today, he said what lyricists were today was not their fault since society itself was changing. He said a song like ‘Mora gora rang lailey, mohey Shaam rang daidey’ would have no place in a society which gladly accepted songs like ‘Bidi jalai-ley’.

     

     

    He said it was not true that he had only made films based on renowned novels or stories. He referred in this connection to two of his films which were his own – ‘Maachis’ which had won National Awards and ‘Hu Tu Tu’.

     

     

    Asked if there was something he regretted not having done, he cryptically said: ‘I miss what I have not been able to make.’

     

     

    He said in reply to a question about why DD was not changing the way private channels were changing by asking a counter-question: “Do you think any other channel would have made serials or telefilms like ‘Godaan’, ‘Nirmala’ and ‘Mirza Ghalib’?”

     

     

    Earlier in his speech, he said his attempt of making ‘Nirmala’ had been to show that society had not changed since Premchand had written the novel almost a century earlier. The effort was to bring Premchand live before the viewers. At a time when people do not read classics, making the novel for television was one way of making people aware of these classics.

     

     

    He said renowned authors should not only be read, but should be translated in different languages.

     

     

    He noted that finding a village where there were no television antennae or modern gadgetry was not very easy for the setting of ‘Nirmala’. Although he found such a village on the border of Gujarat and Maharashtra, he said he was saddened that sixty years after independence, these villages had remained as cut off from modern society as during the British rule.

     

     

    Earlier, DD director general Tripurari Sharan said DD had been fortunate to have got two eminent persons – the ‘Kahani ka jadugar’ (the magic weaver of stories) Premchand and the ‘Shabdon ka jadugar’ (magic weaver of words) together for these two telefilms.

     

     

    DD additional director general VK Jain described Gulzar as an institution who was an inspiration to all. But he was particularly surprised at the manner in which Gulzar always managed to re-invent himself.

     

     

    Gulzar besides being an acclaimed poet, writer and director, has contributed immensely to Hindi and Urdu literature. In addition to his songs and films, he has penned multiple collections of poems and short stories. Some of his previous works for Doordarshan include the title song for the ‘Jungle Book’ series, ‘Mirza Ghalib’, ‘Potli Baba Ki’ and ‘Guchche’ TV series.

  • “Cuts in Modi interview on DD made internally”

    “Cuts in Modi interview on DD made internally”

    NEW DELHI: The Information and Broadcasting ministry has denied any knowledge of the fate of the interview conducted by Doordarshan of Bharatiya Janata Party prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi on the public broadcaster.

     

     

    I& B secretary Bimal Julka told indiantelevision.com that the matter was not raised before the ministry and therefore, there was no question of any cuts or changes to the interview conducted by DD.

     

     

    He said the ministry was not aware of the letter reported to have been written by Prasar Bharati CEO Jawhar Sircar to board members where he is reported to have written that failure to give autonomy to the public broadcaster was the main reason for this.

     

     

    In a letter to the board members, Sircar accepted that certain portions of the interview on DD were ‘apparently edited’. He wrote that he had received a large number of queries about this and blamed the entire episode on the ministry, saying the government can interfere in the form of transfer, appointment and punitive action against Prasar Bharati officials.

     

     

    DD News director general also told imdiantelevision.com that the decision to delete certain portions was taken internally and there was no interaction with the ministry in this regard. In fact, he said the ministry was not even aware of the interview until it was telecast.

     

     

    Sircar said in the letter: “It appears that while portions critical of Doordarshan were telecast, certain comments on other personalities were apparently edited in the Modi interview telecast on 27 April,” he said.

     

     

    He wrote that the board has taken several resolutions in the last two years, seeking more operational autonomy from the ministry, but without success. “In a way, therefore, the MIB lost the opportunity to convince a young minister (Manish Tewari) to break this long traditional linkage between the ministry and the News Division, which has continued unabated since PB was born and assigned its distinct role in 1997.”

     

     

    Sircar noted that after the DD team got the interview with Modi, there were concerns that they had not yet managed a counter-interview with Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi. “I gave DG News the strength to go ahead and telecast the interview, even though there were concerns that a balancing interview from the other side could not be procured, despite best attempts of DD News,” Sircar said.

     

     

    He said, “Another pertinent initiative of the PB Board to bring in external professionals met with some degree of success, but where the post of the director general of Doordarshan and AIR are concerned, it did not succeed.” 

     

     

    “The Recruitment Rules still ensure that only government and quasi-government persons can occupy the post, which is pegged at approximately Rs 22 lakh per annum against sharply higher market rates. I have tried my best to explain that these need to be reviewed because times are changing, but I have not succeeded. If there had been some degree of fresh thinking in these two proposals, we may not have faced the type of public criticism that a single interview has invited,” he added.

     

     

    Doordarshan had reportedly edited out some parts out of Modi’s interview where he had referred to Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and to Congress President Sonia Gandhi’s Political Advisor Ahmed Patel.

  • Doordarshan Sahyadri NAVRATNA AWARDS 2014

    Doordarshan Sahyadri NAVRATNA AWARDS 2014

    MUMBAI: Doordarshan Kendra, Mumbai has been felicitating nine prominent Maharashtrians every year by honoring them “Sahyadri Navratna Awards”. These awards are presented at a lavish function in the Kendra itself in the presence of several prominent Films, TV personalities and other celebrities from the field of Education, Art & Culture.

     

    The Honorable Governor of Maharashtra K. Sankaranarayanan will grace the occasion as the Chief Guests for this evening.

     

    The following eminent personalities will be awarded at this event with the “Navratna Awards”.

     

    1st Award – Jeevan Ratna – Shri Bhalchandra Pendharkar (Lifetime Achievement Award)

    2nd Award  – Swarratna  – Pt.Hridaynath Mangeshkar (Field – MUSIC)

    3rd Award  – Kalaratna – Shri Vasudeo Kamat (Field – FINE ART)

    4th Award – Chitranatha – Smt.Asha Kale – Naik (Field – CINEMA)

    5th Award – Sevaratna –   Shri Achyut Gokhale (Field – SOCIAL WORK)

    6th Award – Shikshan Ratna – Dr.Madhav Chavan (Field – EDUCATION)

    7th Award – Vaibhav Ratna – Shri Vithal Kamat (Field – INDUSTRY)

    8th Award – Ratna Sharda – Dr.Rohini Gavankar (Field – WOMAN OF SUBSTANCE)

    9th Award – Sahityaratna – Shri N.D.Mahanor (Field – LITERATURE)

    10th Award – Ratnadarpan – Shri Madhukar Bhave (Field – JOURNALISM)

  • Doordarshan Sahyadri Prerna Puraskar 2014

    Doordarshan Sahyadri Prerna Puraskar 2014

    MUMBAI: Doordarshan’s Sahyadri Channel will be commemorating “Mother’s Day” on 11th May,2014 with the telecast of a special event “Prerna Puraskar,2014” which will be a special awards function showcasing the unique bonding of “Mother-Daughter” as well as focusing on the theme of “Ladki Padhegi to Ladki Badhegi. This year the whole event has been designed in a way to extract a commitment from leaders of all sections of the society to support girl child education so that it paves the way for her all round success and progress in life. The event proposes to tie up with people from cross section of society and NGO’s who work towards girl child progress.

     

    This event is strongly supported and sponsored by “Clinic Plus “a brand that celebrates the relationship between a mother and a daughter. It signifies this evolving dynamic of a mother-daughter relationship, and acts as a true companion strengthening their bond. Prerna Puraskar identifies the role of Doordarshan as a public broadcaster; it had also won the Bronze Lion Award at the Cannes International Advertising Festival in 2006.

     

    The following mother-daughter personalities will be awarded at this event with the “Prerna Purasakar, 2014”.

     

    Daughter, Poorvi Bhave & Mother, Varsha Bhave

    Varsha Bhave an artist, composer and teacher of Hindustani Classical Music. She is the founder of “Kalangan” an organization which seeks to make children aware of their inclination for the performing arts – including music, theatre, dance and moulds them in to being good artistes. Recipientof Natyadarpan Award for her outstanding performance in the field of natya-sangeet.  Poorvi Bhave started her career as a News Anchor with Star Majha and currently hosting popular shows like “Ghe Bharari” “Mejwani Paripoorn Kitchen” “Jallosh Suvarnayugacha”. She debuted in Mrathi Film “Pitruroon” last year.

     

    Daughter, Ms. Sohaa Kulkarni & (Mother) Neena Kulkarni

    Neena Kulkarni is veteranfilm actress and producer. She has appeared in many Hindi and Marathi movies viz., Garam Masala, Nayak, Dum, Guru, Dum, Paheli. She is a popular face on Indian television and theatre. In 2006, she produced a Marathi Film “Shevri” which won the best film & best actor award at The Pune International Film Festival. Her daughter, Ms. Sohaa Kulkarni is currently The Creative Head for Dashami Creations Production House. She has also been the Executive Producer with the entertainment channels like Zee Marathi & Sony.

     

    (Daughter) Tejashree Walawalkar & (Mother) Jagruti Walawalkar

    Tejashree is one of the most popular child artists in Marathi Cinema & Television. She started her career with Marathi Film “Aaji Ani Naat” and won the audiences with her performance as “Ramabai Ranade” in “Unch Maza Zoka”, a popular television show. Her mother, Jagruti works for LIC of India and have been awarded by Pune Muncipal Corporation as the best LIC Agent.

     

    Daughter, Ms. Shubhada & Mother, Manik Varadkar

    Shubhada is a fine exponent of Odissi and a cancer survivor. Shubhada was awarded prestigious awards like “Singar Mani” “Priyadarshini” “Maharashtra Gourav” by some of the leading organisations. Recently Shubhada has received a prestigious “Mahari” Award 2011 of Orissa. Shubhada has been teaching, performing and conducting workshops in India and abroad for more than a decade. Shubhada is an empanelled artiste of Indian Council for Cultural Relations. Her mother, Manik Varadkar is a social activist, working relentlessly for poor, needy and downtrodden children. She believes that every one of us must give back to the society in any way possible, be it voluntary or monetary services.

     

    Daughter, Manaswini Lata Ravindra & Mother, Lata Pratibha Madhukar

    Manaswini is a young theatre person who was recently invited by the Royal Court Theatre in London to participate in a workshop for young playwrights. Manaswini believes that the only way to help and change society is to engage with social service. Theatre, she realized was an entertaining, engaging and a challenging medium to raise social issues. CIGARETTES, was her first full-length play and then she wrote Alvida, Mazy Vatanich Kara Khura, Ekmekaat and Lakh Lakh Chanderi. Copywriter with Big 92.7FM, Columnist in Sakaal, Kalamnama & Scriptwriter for various daily soaps like Eka lagnachi Dusri Gosht, Lek Ladki ya gharachi. Owing to her mothers’ involvement with some of the key social activist movements in India (for 10 years Manaswini’s mother, Lata helped Medha Patkar with the ‘Narmada Bachao Andolan. Mrs. Lata is a Social Activist, Researcher & Trainer.

     

    Daughter, Anijali Kirtane & Mother, Padmini Govind Biniwale

    Anjali is a Creative Writer, Researcher and Short Film Maker. Popularly known for her creative writing she has written books like Passion Flower, Hirvi Gani, Cherry Blossom & Dr. Anandibai Joshi: Kaal Aani Kartutwa which was converted in to a short film which won the Best Documentary Award of Maharashtra State. The film was also selected in the Baltimore Marathi Convention in U.S.A. She has inherited the writing skill from her mother Mrs. Padminin who is Lecturer, Marathi Poetess & Fiction Writer. Her writing includes tremendously well written Marathi books like Ranatla Diva (Story Book), Midas (Poems) and many more.

     

    Daughter, Janhavi Deepak Vartak & Mother, Jyoti Vartak

    Janhavi is a 14year National Level Gymnastic Champion. In the year 200,0 she participated and won the national championship in Sub Junior level, under 10group at Jodhpur in Gymnastics. She also plays Kabbadi for Maharashtra Kabaddi, Association. Her mother, Jyoti is a home maker and has inculcated in her children the invaluable traits of determination, courage to fight all odds and the determination to win.

     

    Daughter, Vidya R. Thakur & Mother, Anusya Padir

    Vidya is a renowned ENT Surgeon having vast experience of working with leading hospitals in Mumbai. Her mother Ansuya Padir hails from a tribal village Kotwal Wadi situated in the dense forest of Raigad Dist. Social Activist, Anusya has been instrumental in providing basic facilities at Khandas Tribal Area under Gram Sadak Yojana, Housing under Adivasi Gharkul Niwas scheme,Bore wells etc. She also runs a HPCL retail outlet Pursharth Auto Services at Kalamboli.

     

    Daughter, Tejashree Amonkar & Mother, Bharti Amonkar

    Tejashree is a singer and the granddaughter of Kishori Amonkar. Though a degree holder in fashion technology, 27-year-old Tejashri has gained firsthand knowledge of the techniques and execution skills of Hindustani vocal music. She also performed solo at the Arohi festival where music lovers found her performance likable and acceptable. Her mother, Bharti Amonkar is a fine exponent of Odissi. She has been performing at state level since last 30 years.

     

    Daughter, Rupali Ambure & Mother, Pratibha Khairmode

    Rupali is the first women to be appointed as DCP in Indian Railway. She is a woman of principle, attitude and courage. The famous Jalgaon Cyber Crime case was cracked by her and she made sure that the accused was arrested. Her mother, Pratibha Khairmode was a State government employee for her children being her ultimate life, in order to develop their career; she struggled a lot but fulfilled all her duties with a smile & vigor.

     

     Telecast of “Prerna Puraskar 2014” on Doordarshan Sahyadri Channel on 11th May, 2014 (Sunday) from 3.30pm onwards.

  • AIR, DD to give live coverage National Film Awards ceremony

    AIR, DD to give live coverage National Film Awards ceremony

    NEW DELHI: The 61st National Film Awards for 2013 will be presented by President Pranab Mukherjee on 3 May, the date on which India’s first feature film ‘Raja Harishchandra’ by D G Phalke was released commercially in 1913.

     

    The Dadasaheb Phalke Award to the eminent poet, lyricist, and filmmaker Gulzar will also be presented the same day.

     

    Both Doordarshan and All India Radio will have live broadcast of the awards ceremony from the stately Vigyan Bhavan from 5.45 pm on that day on their national channels.

     

    Prior to that, All India Radio will carry an interview of Directorate of Film Festivals director Shankar Mohan at 8.15 pm on 1 May on its national hook-up.

     

    It will have a featurised programme as the curtain-raiser to the awards on 2 May at 8.15 pm with an interview with Information and Broadcasting Ministry secretary Bimal Julka.

     

    Later on 3 May at 9.30 pm, AIR will broadcast a report on the award ceremony on its national hook-up.

  • Prasar Bharati’s woes on vacant key positions

    Prasar Bharati’s woes on vacant key positions

    NEW DELHI: The union cabinet has decided to maintain status quo in Prasar Bharati with regard to recruitment of people up to the age of 62 to allow the public broadcaster to fill key positions that have been lying vacant or are likely.

     

    These include the posts of Member (Finance) who has put in his papers but whose resignation has not yet been accepted, Member (Personnel) whose tenure has ended, and Board Chairperson Mrinal Pande whose tenure is ending on 30 April.

     

    The cabinet decision came on a proposal by the ministry of information and broadcasting.  

     

    Interestingly, a group of ministers (GoM) had earlier recommended that the age for these positions be lowered to 55 years and that recommendation has been under the consideration of the government. However, since the tenure of this government is ending and the implementation of GoM recommendations for lowering the age requires an amendment to the Prasar Bharati Act.

     

    Prasar Bharati CEO Jawhar Sircar told indiantelevision.com that he was unhappy that no steps had been taken to fill important posts, which he feels should have been done before they become vacant.

     

    Meanwhile, reliable Prasar Bharati sources told indiantelevision.com that a majority of the 1150 critical posts for programme executives, production assistants and duty officers recommended by the GoM had been filled. Prasar Bharati had received clearance early last year for immediately filling up 1150 posts out of the 3452 posts which had been identified as critical and approved by the GoM in June 2009.  

     

    The pubcaster has not had any senior-level recruitment since it came into being in September 1997, and the sources said that those posts which could not be filled out of these were held up because there is no Prasar Bharati recruitment board.

     

    The source said steps are being taken to set up the board at the earliest so that the pubcaster does not face such difficulties in future.

      

    In March last year, the pubcaster had in a notice in ‘Employment News’ notified ‘combined recruitment for the post of programme executive and transmission executive examination’ for 1166 posts to be filled after interviews by the staff selection committee (SSC).

     

    As of early 2013, there were 1362 vacancies in Group A, 1,584 in Group B, 4863 in Group C and 2272 in group D in All India Radio (AIR). In Doordarshan (DD), 724 posts are vacant in Group A, 1140 in Group B, 2871 in Group C, and 1451 in Group D.

     

    AIR and DD had total staff strength of 33,800 against a total sanctioned strength of 48,022, leaving a gap of 14,222 posts.

     

    The most critically affected areas were the programme wing and the news services division (AIR)/DD News.

     

    The Committee for Information Technology in 2012 regretted that Prasar Bharati had failed to live up to the assurance given by then Prasar Bharati CEO that the recruitment boards for Prasar Bharati would be set up by 31 March 2011.

     

    It is understood that the union public service commission and SSC had both refused to select for a non-governmental organization, thus creating a new problem for the ministry/Prasar Bharati.

     

    The Proposal for setting up a Prasar Bharati recruitment board was approved by Prasar Bharati Board on 21 July 2010 and discussed in the ministry and a final proposal was referred to the department of personnel and training (DoPT) on 15 February 2011. DoPT concurred with the proposal in June 2011 and the comments of the department of expenditure (DOE) were also received on 28 September 2011.

     

    The DoE had requested that a separate proposal be formulated for creation of posts for the secretariat of Prasar Bharati Recruitment Board and also requested for drafting of agreement containing terms and conditions of the members of the board. This had been done and the proposal sent to DoE in February 2012 and then to the law ministry.