I&B blames ‘bad drafting’, says no bid to take over Doordarshan

NEW DELHI: The information and broadcasting (I&B) ministry on Thursday clarified that the newly appointed Doordarshan director general (news) Veena Jain would report to Prasar Bharati for operational purposes. The move comes days after the first order sparked speculation on challenging the public broadcaster’s autonomy as it directed Jain to report to the ministry in all matters.

Ministry officials said the order was a result of bad drafting rather than any intent to “take over” DD.

The clarification issued on Thursday said Jain would report to Prasar Bharati for “all operational purposes and to the ministry as OSD”. Jain was also given charge as officer on special duty charged with heading the social media and new media wings.

The May 29 order asking Jain to report to the ministry in all matters had raised questions on the autonomous status given to the public broadcaster on paper. Sources said neither Prasar Bharati chairman A Surya Prakash nor CEO Jawhar Sircar were consulted on the decision which some argued was against the spirit of the Act. Following the order Surya Prakash met I&B minister Arun Jaitley on the issue.

An information service officer Jain has replaced Akshay Rout who was holding additional charge so far. Ministry sources said IIS transfers were the prerogative of the ministry and did not require any endorsement from Prasar Bharati. Jain has so far not been attending prime time news meetings since she joined, say sources.