In an early Diwali bonanza for the 38,000 employees of Prasar Bharati, a group of ministers (GoM) on Friday decided to give government status to all workers of the public broadcaster. The GoM -- headed by Shivraj Patil -- decided that all employees would be given the same benefits and status as government workers and would be considered to be on "deemed deputation" to Prasar Bharati.
No decision was taken on the financial restructuring of the pubcaster that has been a major loss-making enterprise so far.
Information and broadcasting (I&B) ministry sources said that this largess was likely to cost the cash-strapped body another Rs 81 crore in providing medical, health and housing benefits to employees. AIR and Doordarshan employees will now be entitled to government pay scales, deputation allowance, retirement and pension benefits. The cumulative deficit of Prasar Bharati for three years, starting 2003, has been Rs 5,540 crore.
The GoM's decision will now be placed before the Cabinet. The employees' issue was cleared on priority as the Centre has to submit its reply to the Supreme Court by November 2 on the problems being faced by Prasar Bharati employees. Other equally serious issues such as funding of the loss-making broadcaster, filling up of vacancies and restructuring will be taken up by the GoM later.
Workers have been agitating for not getting the same facilities as government employees for about 10 years -- since Prasar Bharati was given the status of a corporation. The employees had taken mass casual leave on September 28. The stir was withdrawn after I&B minister Priya Ranjan Das Munshi assured the National Federation of Akashvani & Doordarshan Employees that their demands would be considered.
Source: The Times of India, 6th Oct,2007
