Date:19/03/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/03/19/stories/2008031960131300.htm

National

Prasar Bharati Amendment Bill passed

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: The Rajya Sabha on Tuesday gave its nod for the Prasar Bharati (Broadcasting Corporation of India) Amendment Bill, 2008, which will replace an ordinance that saw the removal of eminent journalist M.V. Kamath as Prasar Bharati Chairman. It was passed by the Lok Sabha on Monday.

The Bill, which calls for fixing an upper age limit for the post, came in for sharp criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party, which alleged that its sole aim was to dislodge Mr. Kamath, a la a measure adopted to remove P. Venugopal as AIIMS Director.

Denying the charge, Information and Broadcasting Minister Priyaranjan Dasmunsi said the government had nothing against any individual but it was time to bring in a younger workforce as part of the attempt to make Prasar Bharati “dynamic.” This was to meet the challenges of a competitive market place in view of the coming Youth Games and Commonwealth Games to be held in India. According to the Bill, the Chairman will be a part-time member and hold office for three years or until he attains the age of 70, whichever is earlier. There is a provision for an executive member, who will be a whole-time member and will hold office for five years.