(a) whether the Government has decided to close down the Directorate of Field Publicity Photo Division and Song and Drama Division;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
(c) the number of employees likely to become surplus as a result thereof; and
(d) the strategy adopted by the Government for absorbing such surplus employees in other Departments of the Government?
THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND CULTURE (SHRI S. JAIPAL REDDY)
(a), (b), (c) & (d) Ministry of Information & Broadcasting had initially agreed to abolition
of 1334 posts, subject to certain steps to be taken for rationalization of different organizations.
The matter regarding implementation of the ERC`s recommendations was placed
before the Committee of Secretaries which in its meeting held on 28th April, 2004, inter
alia proposed that the Field Publicity and Song & Drama Division be closed down and
the Photo Division, Publications Division and Films Division be downsized substantially.
The matter is proposed to be reviewed before the Committee of Secretaries after
the completion of a detailed study of the various issues and options. Therefore, revised
estimation with regard to the number of posts to be abolished has not been worked out as yet.