MP fears disinvestment in Prasar Bharati; seeks PM's intervention

New Delhi, Mar 31 (UNI) Expressing apprehension that public broadcaster Prasar Bharati was being subtly prepared for privatisation, MP and Member of the Consultative Committee of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Hannan Mollah has urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to intervene in the matter.

In a letter to the Prime Minister, Mr Mollah said,''it appears that there is an attempt to ultimately disinvest in the Prasar Bharati on the plea that it was a loss making PSU. The orgainsation's assets have been undervalued with such an ulterior motive.'' He said after a boom in private broadcasting durig the last ten years, it was clear that the Prasar Bharati in its present form was neither financially viable nor professionally well equipped to face the challenge of the day.

A part of the annual expenditure of the Prasar Bharati was coming from the Government in the form of grant-in-aid, while the revenue generated by the Public broadcaster was used for the rest, but which was not sufficient.

The MP urged the Prime Minister to see that the public broadcaster was adequately supported by the government so that it was not left to the mercy of market forces.

This was more imperative because the All India radio and the Doordarshn have played and were playing a vital role in promoting national integration by preserving the socio-cultural fabric of a diverse country like India, said the MP.

He also pointed out to Dr Singh that the employees of the Prasar Bharati were also facing a difficult situation. They had been placed in the service of the Prasar Bharati on deemed deputation basis, due to which they had lost all the benefits as government employees and got nothing in return.

The employees demanded that the multi-crore assets of the Prasar Bharati should remain with the government, and its Board should act independently on the line of the India Railways.

UNI