(a) whether the Government propose to enact legislation to enable the public
broadcaster to get terrestrial rights to all major national and international events
especially sports;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Prasar Bharati has examined the report of N.R. Narayana Murthy
Committee;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the reaction of the Government on the recommendations of the Committee?
THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING (SMT. SUSHMA SWARAJ)
(a) & (b): No Sir. However, the Communication Convergence Bill, 2001,
introduced in Lok Sabha on 31.8.2001, has a provision to the effect that
national or international events of general public interest, notified by
Government in advance, shall have to be carried on the network of public
service broadcaster as well. The Communications Commission shall,
however, determine well in advance of such event, the principles and terms
for the access to the network of public service broadcaster.
(c), (d) & (e): The recommendations of the Narayana Murthy Committee
inter-alia, relate to mission and objective for Prasar Bharati, accountability
and structures of Prasar Bharati, financing and funding mechanism, channel
positioning, programming content and production, restructuring of
transmission and engineering services, improvement in marketing, human
resource development and exploitation of new technologies and includes
staffing pattern of Prasar Bharati. The recommendations have been
endorsed by the Prasar Bharati Board and measures are being taken by them
to implement the recommendations within their competence.