CAG pulls up public broadcaster for bounties to private parties

New Delhi, Aug 20 (UNI) The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has pulled up Doordarshan for providing undue favour to private producers and agencies, and failing to realise dues from foreign channels, resulting in the revenue loss of crores of rupees.

According to the latest CAG Report tabled in Parliament, the public broadcaster has provided uplinking facilities to outside producers from October 1990 without entering into any contract, resulting in the loss of Rs 3.03 crore.

In the absence of any contract, Doordarshan did not conclude any agreement, no bills were raised against outside agencies that availed the uplinking facilities from 1990 to April 1998, resulting in non-realisation of Rs 3.03 crore as on March 31, 2005.

The Doordarshan Kendra, Mumbai reduced the telecast fee of serial 'Damini' from Rs 66000 to Rs 42 000 per episode, against the rate card, which caused a loss of Rs 29.04 Cr.

In similar four cases of Hyderabad Doordarshn, sponsorship fees was reduced resulting in the loss of Rs 14.73 lakh.

Similar laxity cost DD Rs 61.69 lakh due on foreign users seeking its technical facilities.

According to the rate Card of Doordarshan Technical Facilities, foreign users seeking such facilities have to furnish an assurance from the Embassy concerned that payment would be made within 30 days of receipt of invoice. Failing this, the hire charges are to be deposited in advance through bank draft.

Audit found that DD provided technical facilities to foreign channels during April 2001 to August 2005 and raised invoices of 504141 US Dollars. However, only 365894 Dollars equivalent to Rs 61.69 lakh could be realised till March 31 this year.

DD incurred revenue loss of Rs 50. 40 lakh by not charging any fee for telecast of programmes.

The Doordarshan Kendra, Mumbai telecast two programmes 'Yashwant Chavan Mukta Vidyapeet and Balchitravani' of half an hour duartion without charging any fee resulting in the loss.

Similarly DDK, Hyderabad telecast music videos to Rythu Mahila Janmabhoomi (250) seconds, Godavari Pushkarams (290 seconds) and Jalachaityam (193 seconds) free of cost at the request of Andhra Pradesh. The Kendra has not maintained any record of the number of times, the music videos were telecast. The loss of revenue therefore could not be quantified by Audit, the CAG Report said.

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