Crores spent, NDA govt takes re-look at Prasar Bharati’s ‘relevance’

Courtesy:  www.financialexpress.com

Raghavendra Rao | New Delhi | Published: Jul 28 2014, 07:41 IST

SUMMARY

Many in govt feel Prasar Bharati has become a 'white elephant' of sorts over the years.

THE NDA government has quietly started examining the "relevance" of public broadcaster Prasar Bharati and also whether it is necessary to continue with the statutory body which, many in the government feel, has become a "white elephant" of sorts over the years.

In a recent interaction with the Prime Minister's Office, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry is learnt to have conveyed that the government has spent close to

Rs 19,000 crore on Prasar Bharati ever since it came into existence in 1997 but the public broadcaster has clearly not been able to leverage the vast resources at its disposal to make Doordarshan and All India Radio the preferred choice of the masses.

The I&B Ministry has also conveyed to the PMO that a thorough review was in order before granting any more substantial funds to the broadcaster, sources told The Indian Express.

Read MOre at:  http://www.financialexpress.com/news/crores-spent-nda-govt-takes-relook-at-prasar-bharati-s-relevance-/1274457