‘Decision on Lalli suspension soon’
Union information and broadcasting minister Ambika Soni on Friday indicated that a decision on the issue of suspension of controversial Prasar Bharati CEO B.S. Lalli will be taken in the next couple of days.
“The file regarding Lalli came to the I&B ministry from the PMO late last evening. The ministry is looking at the Prasar Bharati Act and the next step will be as per the provisions in the Act,” Ms Soni stated. She stated that a decision on Mr Lalli’s suspension was likely to be taken in one or two days.
The I&B minister also indicated that the government was looking at amending the Prasar Bharati Act. “The GoM, headed by home minister P. Chidambaram, is looking at various aspects of the Act which includes amending certain provisions,” Ms Soni added.
Mr Lalli faces an inquiry headed by a Supreme Court judge after President Pratibha Devisingh Patil gave her assent for an inquiry into charges of financial mismanagement against him. Presidential assent came on a reference made by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as required under the Prasar Bharti Act.
This is the first time the CEO of Prasar Bharati is being sought to be removed under the provisions of the law.
The controversial 1971 batch IAS officer of UP cadre, Mr Lalli, has been involved in a feud with the Prasar Bharti Board on running the organisation. The I&B ministry had sought the intervention of the Prime Minister after it received the go-ahead for a probe against Mr Lalli from the Union ministry of law and justice and the Prasar Bharati Board also recommending inquiry proceedings against its CEO after he was indicted by the CVC. The CVC, in its report given to Prasar Bharati about six months ago, is believed to have pointed towards financial irregularities.
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