Dasmunsi dares Hannan Mollah to prove graft in Doordarshan

New Delhi, Nov 30 (UNI) Agitated over charges of graft in Doordarshan levelled by Hannan Mollah of the CPI(M) in the Lok Sabha today, Information and Broadcasting Minister P R Dasmunsi said he would quit Parliament if the marxist member could prove a single charge in 48 hours.

Raising the matter during Zero Hour, the CPI(M) member demanded a CBI probe into the 50 per cent cut allegedly taken by DD officials in clearing 100 television serials since a vigilance inquiry had proved ''fruitless''.

Focussing on the plight of hundreds of writers, researchers and technicians, Mr Mollah said these people could not get their projects approved by DD officials because of hefty commissions allegedly demanded by them.

He further alleged a nexus between a handful of producers and corrupt officials, adding the system of approving serials had evolved into a method of looting filmmakers since 1995. He alleged that while 25 per cent cut was the norm even 50 per cent cut was demanded and paid by fraudulent producers to get their serials telecast on DD channels.

Speaker Somnath Chatterjee expunged Hannan Mollah's remark relating to Doordarshan headquarters in the city.

UNI