Provision on panel overseeing Prasar Bharati functions likely to be deleted

The Information & Broadcasting Ministry is considering a proposal for amending the Prasar Bharati Act to remove a provision which mandates creation of a committee to oversee the functions of the public broadcaster as the standing committee on IT is playing the same role.

In a written reply in response to a question in the Rajya Sabha, I&B minister Manish Tewari said that Prasar Bharati Act, 1990 has provided for accountability of the broadcaster under section 13. He said this section mandates constitution of a parliamentary committee to oversee the functioning of Prasar Bharati.

“The Group of Ministers (GoM) on Prasar Bharati has recommended for deletion of section 13 from the Prasar Bharati Act 1990 on the grounds that the standing committee on Information Technology is playing the same role. Accordingly, a proposal for amendment of the Act inter-alia for deletion of section 13 is under consideration,” Mr.Tewari said.