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Public broadcaster Prasar Bharati (PB) has reportedly turned down a proposal by the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) to appoint an IAS officer to its board as 'member personnel'.
The ministry intended to appoint an IAS officer to take up charge of all human resource and administrative decisions taken by the autonomous body, reported Times of India.
Prasar Bharati Chairman A Surya Prakash and some other board members have opined that the appointment of an IAS officer would amount to contempt of Prasar Bharati Act passed by Parliament, the sources told PTI.
Besides, it would also be "denigrating" the office of the vice president, who is required under the provision of the act as chairman of the selection committee to make board-level appointments, they added.
The body also deferred its proposal to bring in senior journalists to head the news service units of Doordarshan and All India Radio, reportedly citing autonomy and the salary package offered, reported Hindustan Times.
Besides, some of the board members, including Prakash, also took objection to the "ministry's directive" regarding the termination of contractual employees of the Prasar Bharati, they said.
The Prasar Bharati Board comprises a chairman, an executive member (CEO), a member finance, a member personnel, six part-time members, a representative of the information and broadcasting ministry and the directors-general of AIR and Doordarshan as ex-officio members.
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