Govt to modify Prasar Bharati Act.

            The government is in the process of amending the Prasar Bharati (Broadcasting Corp of India) Act 1990 and the Pension Rules to give effect to the recommendation of the Group of Ministers (GoM) to treat government employees  in service of Prasar Bharati as on 5 October 2007 as civil servants.

           In January 2009, the GoM had taken a decision that all central government employees recruited for Akashvani or Doordarshan until 5 October 2007 are to be deemed as on deputation with effect from April 2000 until their retirement. 

         The decision stated that employees recruited from 6 October 2007 will be deemed to be employees of the Prasar Bharati (Broadcasting Corp of India) and subject to rules drawn up by the board of the public broadcaster.

         This decision will benefit approximately 38,000 employees who will get pensionary, government health and accommodation, and other benefits.

Minister of state for Information & Broadcasting CM Jatua told parliament that Section 11 of the Act and Rule 37A, of the CCS Pension Rules, would have to be amended to facilitate employees who were in service as on 5 October 2007 to receive emoluments and pension after retirement.