Question : Radio Stations in Kerala

(a) whether most of the Radio Stations in Kerala are running with the manpower of Casual Announcers and Comperers, if so, the details thereof;
(b) the details of the income generating programmes which are presented and produced by casual employees;
(c) whether most of the posts are lying vacant on the programme side of All India Radio Stations in Kerala, if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether the Government is aware that most of Casual Announcers and Comperes serve for 15 to 30 years as only casual employees with a very nominal payment in All India Radio (AIR), if so, the details thereof;
(e) whether the Government has taken any step to regularize the Casual Announcers and Comperes of AIR, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reason therefor?

THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING; AND MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS [SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR]

(a) to (e): Prasar Bharati is engaging Casual Assignees including casual Announcers and Comperers on assignment basis as and when needed as per programming requirements at various All India Radio Stations in the country, including the stations in the state of Kerala. They lend their voice and assist in various programme and transmission activities. These casual assignees are not termed as employees and are free to take up full/part time employment anywhere else. They are paid as per the fee structure which is revised from time to time. Addressing vacancy position is an ongoing process. Revenue generation in Prasar Bharati is maintained channel-wise and not programme-wise.
A Scheme for regularization of irregular appointments/engagements in Prasar Bharati (All India Radio & Doordarshan), as a onetime measure, has been formulated by Prasar Bharati. Applications received are scrutinized to determine their eligibility for regularization based on fulfilling the eligibility criteria/parameters laid down in the Scheme.