Advani asks government to intervene in UNI takeover issue

New Delhi, Sep 30 (UNI) Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader L K Advani today asked the government and stakeholders to find a solution to retain the independent and impartial character of the United News of India (UNI) following a stay by Delhi High Court on transfer of the bulk of its shares to a private media group.

Mr Advani's remarks came when a five-member delegation of the Joint Action Committee of UNI Employees called on him at his official residence this morning.

''The government and the news agency management and employees should use the interlude after the court stay for arriving at an acceptable solution,'' the former Deputy Prime Minister said.

The delegation impressed upon the leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha the ''urgent need'' on the part of the government to intervene to stop the sale of majority shares of the news agency to the Zee Group.

During the nearly 45-minute meeting, Mr Advani suggested creation of a mechanism to ensure that the independent character of the news organisation and the interests of nearly 1,000 employees were not adversely affected.

Sharing Mr Advani's concern, the delegation asserted that this objective could be achieved only if the control of the news agency did not go to any individual or a group of individuals.

The delegation told Mr Advani that the Rs 4 crore loss presently incurred by the news agency was ''artificial'' and only six years ago UNI had a surplus of Rs 30 crore, which was ''siphoned off'' to create a case for sale.

The current loss could be made up if public broadcaster Prasar Bharti streamlined and modestly revised its subscription rates, it said.

The government could also bring the news agency at par with the Press Trust of India in terms of giving Ministry of External Affairs projects for dissemination of news and building India's image abroad, the delegation said.

The government could also consider a one-time liberal revival package for the news agency, the delegation told Mr Advani.

The delegation also made a strong case for representation of employees on the Board of Directors of the news agency and converting UNI into a full-fledged Trust.

Hearing a complaint from Bhopal-based newspaper group Sandhya Prakash Limited, the Delhi High Court yesterday asked UNI to maintain status quo till October 5 and restrained it from selling shares to any company or individuals.

UNI TEAM SA SND1350