Question : AUTONOMY TO PRASAR BHARATI

(a) whether Prasar Bharati is a corporation with desired autonomy to pursue the mandate given by the Act;

(b) whether majority of senior and junior level executives continues to be the Government employers and derive all the benefits as Government employees;

(c) whether no resource mobilization has been done by Prasar Bharati, in order to attain financial independence;

(d) if so, the reasons for such an uncertainty regarding the future of Prasar Bharati; and

(e) the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING AND CULTURE ( SHRI S. JAIPAL REDDY )

(a) to (e) : A statement is laid on the Table of the House.


STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.209 FOR ANSWER ON 17-03-2005

(a) : Yes, Sir.

(b) : Yes, Sir, majority of employees, including senior and junior level executive continue to be Government servants on deemed deputation to Prasar Bharati. While they continue to enjoy almost all benefits available to Government employees, certain difficulties have arisen with regard to eligibility for allotment of Government accommodation and CGHS facilities.

(c) : Prasar Bharati as a public broadcaster cannot attain financial independence through internal resource mobilisation alone. However, Prasar Bharati has taken many steps for improving its financial position. These include expenditure control, exploiting the commercial potential of various films and non-films based programmes, and providing technical consultancy services in the broadcasting sector.

(d) & (e) : There is no uncertainty regarding the future of Prasar Bharati.