The Information and Broadcasting Minister, Ms Ambika Soni, today (18/02/2012)said that with the selection of a new Prasar Bharati CEO, vacancies in Doordarshan and All India Radio would be filled and all stations especially those on the border areas will be made functional.

           “While maintaining the autonomous structure of Prasar Bharati, I want that issues related to staff resolved because they have been pending for a very long time,” Ms Soni told reporters here.She was asked about the priority areas of the new Prasar Bharati CEO. Mr Jawhar Sircar, Secretary, Ministry of Culture, has been selected by a panel headed by the Vice-President for the position.

         “We have recently formed recruitment rules after forming a recruitment board. We now awaiting DoPT clearances, so wherever there are slots vacant they should be filled urgently,” Ms Soni said.The Minister said she wants Doordarshan and AIR centres situated in border areas to be made functional.

          “I also want that all Doordarshan and Akashvani kendras which are situated on the country’s borders to be activated,” she said.“More programmes should be generated in local languages and Doordarshan and Akashvani should reflect a picture of the entire country,” she said.

            Ms Soni also said that though she had not been able to meet Mr Sircar after he was selected, she had faith in his ability.
“I have not yet been able to meet him. Only yesterday there was an announcement and notification regarding his appointment. He is an experienced IAS officer and was the Secretary Culture,” she noted.

           Asked if the absence of a full time CEO had affected the functioning of Prasar Bharati, the Minister said: “It is time to leave the past and move ahead.

|||||| Thank you for your interest.||||||