In a statement issued to the media, Prasar Bharati CEO B.S. Lalli, alleged that “a lot of intrigue and mischief” has been going on within the organisation against him. Furthermore, he alleged that the intrigue and mischief was “abetted and encouraged by powerful elements from outside” aimed at “demonising an individual”.
Claiming that he had provided the country “unblemished” service in the IAS for nearly 40 years, he added that he hoped the inquiry by the Supreme Court gets finalised quickly so that “true picture” is known to the public at large. The controversial 1971 batch IAS officer of UP cadre, Lalli, has been having 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 reprimanded the organisation over the manner in which private broadcasters were allowed to revise their offers for revenue management contract of five cricket series involving India in 2007 after the initial sealed bids had been opened.
Reacting to the presidential reference, BJP leader M. Venkaiah Naidu stated that the action is “too late”. “It is too late. It is also part of the loot. We are saying it earlier also about CWG. One after another is happening,” he stated.