Social media question Prasar Bharti post for ex-IAS officer who figured in Niira Radia Tapes

The recent appointment of a just-retired bureaucrat, Sunil Arora, as an adviser to Prasar Bharti, the public broadcaster, has been questioned by many on social media. The twitterati point out that Arora had figured in the Niira Radia tapes in at least three conversations with the now infamous lobbyist.

Among other allegations against him is that he passed on to former Tata Group chairman Ratan Tata, through Niira Radia, pointers on the airline industry that he could use during his meeting with the then prime minister Manmohan Singh.

The Outlook magazine had reported the conversation that Arora had with Radia.

On the tape, Radia is heard telling the 1980 batch, Rajasthan-cadre IAS officer to speak to a certain journalist for a story critical of then aviation minister Praful Patel.

"Then, I should return his call?" asks Arora. "Of course, of course," Radia replies.

While a key member of India's administrative steel frame shares an easy camaraderie with Radia, they also discuss a certain "Rajiv Singh" who is "in London".

Now, the twitterati are asking questions about the reason behind Arora's appointment to the Prasar Bharti.

Arora was the secretary, Information and Broadcasting, just before he retired this year.

In August, the I&B ministry had sent a proposal to appoint Arora, which was accepted by Prasar Bharti.

OneIndia News