(a) whether the Government/ Prasar Bharati has adequate number of manpower for the operation
and maintenance of All India Radio Stations and Doordarshan Kendras, newly set up/ proposed to
be set up in the country;
(b) if so, the details of the sanctioned and the actual strength; and
(c) the action taken/ being taken to fill up the vacant posts and the time by which the
vacancies are likely to be filled up for the said purpose?
THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING
(SHRI MANISH TEWARI)
(a) to (c): There is a shortage of staff in Doordarshan/ All India Radio network as very
little fresh recruitment has taken place after the formation of Prasar Bharati in 1997. However,
a proposal for filling up of essential posts was placed before the Group of Ministers (GoM) on
Prasar Bharati. The GoM recommended filling up of 3452 essential category of vacant posts in All
India Radio and Doordarshan subject to approval of Ministry of Finance. Ministry of Finance has
approved filling up of 1150 vacant posts in the first phase. For the remaining 2302 posts,
the Ministry of Finance has directed to move a proposal after filling up of the approved posts.
In order to expedite filling up of vacant posts and to undertake fresh recruitment, the Ministry
of I&B has taken the following steps:-
(i) The regulations pertaining to Direct Recruitment posts identified as critical posts have been
taken up on priority for notification. Regulations in respect of 6 categories of Group B and
C posts have already been notified.
(ii) Recently, the Ministry of I&B has conveyed approval for undertaking recruitment against
Group B and C posts through the Staff Selection Commission, as a one-time special dispensation,
subject to the terms and conditions stipulated by DOP&T and Ministry of Law, so as to enable
filling up of the critical posts expeditiously.
Prasar Bharati has already advertised the vacancies in Group B and C posts. The process of
filling the vacancies has already begun.