I&B Min for GoM to go into HR issues in Prasar Bharti.

          Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has sought constitution of a Group of Ministers (GoM) to look into HR and other issues in Prasar Bharti, the Rajya Sabha was informed today (14-12-2009).

       Replying to supplementaries during Question Hour, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ambika Soni said a GoM on the lines of the one in 2007 that dealt with issues of recruitment and status of officers on deputation, has been suggested.

        Soni said 51 television news correspondents were appointed on contract by Doordarshan in 1988 after Joshi Committee recommended inducting professionals in the national channel. They were declared government servants in May 1993.

        Their promotion was, however, opposed by IIS officers. The Central Administrative Tribunal in 2000 directed that they be provided all benefits of the service but this order has been challenged in the Hyderabad High Court. The matter is sub-judice.

       Soni, however, said the ministry was seeking to resolve the issue before the end of current fiscal.

       For creating assured promotional avenues for TV news correspondents, a proposal for creation of one post of Principal Correspondent and two posts of Special News Correspondents has been referred to the Finance Ministry.

"Recruitment Rules have also been drawn up and sent to the Department of Personnel," she said