Prasar Bharati Bill grants Corporation disciplinary powers over staff

It aims to resolve long-standing disputes regarding whether these employees are Central Government employees or employees of the autonomous Corporation, and to grant the Corporation specific disciplinary powers over them.

Who it concerns: Officers and employees of Akashvani (All India Radio) and Doordarshan (Doordarshan), including those recruited before April 1, 2000, between the appointed day and October 5, 2007, and those recruited after October 5, 2007. It also affects officers from the Indian Information Service, Central Secretariat Service, or other cadres working in these organizations.

What the bill does

• Officers and employees recruited before April 1, 2000, are placed on 'deemed deputation' to the Corporation with effect from April 1, 2000, until retirement.
• Officers and employees recruited between the appointed day and October 5, 2007, are also placed on 'deemed deputation' with effect from April 1, 2000, or their joining date, whichever is later.
• Deemed deputation staff are entitled to pay and benefits admissible to Central Government employees, but are not entitled to deputation allowance.
• The Corporation is granted disciplinary and supervisory powers, including the power to transfer, suspend, and impose minor penalties on deemed deputation staff.
• The power to impose major penalties (compulsory retirement, removal, or dismissal) on deemed deputation staff remains with the Central Government.
• Officers and employees recruited after October 5, 2007, become direct employees of the Corporation governed by its regulations.
• The provisions regarding deemed deputation do not apply to officers of the Indian Information Service, Central Secretariat Service, or other external cadres; their terms of service are to be prescribed separately.
• All posts in Akashvani and Doordarshan (excluding those borne on external cadres) are deemed transferred to the Corporation with effect from April 1, 2000.

Also in the document

• The Bill is an amendment to the Prasar Bharati (Broadcasting Corporation of India) Act, 1990.
• The Statement of Objects and Reasons notes that the lack of clarity on employee status led to litigation in High Courts and a Supreme Court directive for the Union of India to take a firm decision.
• The Bill implements recommendations made by a Group of Ministers in meetings held on October 5, 2007, September 26, 2008, and April 16, 2010.
• The Bill empowers the Central Government to make rules regarding the terms of service for specific cadres and the Corporation to make regulations for other employees.