National

Prasar Bharati to streamline operations

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI APRIL 18 . Though its autonomy remains a debatable point, Prasar Bharati has finally adopted the long-overdue corporate practice of a "double entry accounting system'' to streamline its operations, identify its assets and liabilities, and give itself more than a semblance of a corporation.

With the start of this financial year, the accounting system of the Broadcasting Corporation of India has been delinked from the Government Account. Adoption of the commercial format of accounting, according to Prasar Bharati officials, will allow a "degree of operational freedom'' to the corporation.

Though the shift has been made only now, the new accounting system will be implemented with retrospective effect from the 2000-01 financial year. While May 2002 has been set as the deadline for accounting 2000-01, the accounts for the financial year just gone by will have to be prepared by September.

The shift has been made in accordance with the recommendations of the Institute of Public Auditors of India (IPAI) — a grantee organisation of the Comptroller & Auditor General of India — which had been appointed by Prasar Bharati as consultant.

Given the fact that Prasar Bharati staff are not trained in the double-entry system, there is a proposal to engage private firms of chartered accountants to train and help them make the switch-over. And, to bring in a degree of transparency in financial matters, the accounts will be made available online. The task of computerisation of accounts has been handed over to the National Informatics Centre.

Besides, the Institute of Cost & Works Accountants has been roped in to help put in place a costing system that would enable Prasar Bharati determine the profitability of each operation.

However, officials were quick to clarify, that this would not necessarily amount to winding up of non-profitable operations as Prasar Bharati cannot ignore the mandate that comes with being a public broadcaster.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National

News: Front Page | National | Southern States | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary |

Stories in this Section

• Why Modi deferred the decision on Assembly dissolution
• People's Front leaders to visit Gujarat
• Centre seeks time to reply to NHRC report
• Gujarat incidents an aberration: MEA
• Minister rules out AI, IA disinvestment 'now'
• Bill to set up petroleum board cleared
• 'Need for talks on Kashmir'
• Dental college seats: SC notice to T.N.
• 'No' to quota for SC/STs in higher judiciary
• Visa-on-arrival scheme put on hold for security reasons
• Wisner for fresh Indo-Pak. dialogue
• India welcomes Zahir Shah's return
• Prasar Bharati to streamline operations
• New virus hits computers
• Kuwait denies gurdwara closure

Copyright © 2002, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu