Prasar Bharati CEO faces SC inquiry

Prasar Bharati CEO B S Lalli will face a Supreme Court inquiry into charges of administrative and financial irregularities against him following a Presidential reference.

The assent to the Presidential reference, sought by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, sets in process the process of removal of the controversial 1971 IAS officer of Uttar Pradesh cadre, who has had a running feud with the Prasar Bharati Board.

This is the first time the CEO of Prasar Bharati is being sought to be removed under the provisions of the law that was made two decades ago.

Reacting to the Presidential reference, Lalli (63) said "a lot of intrigue and mischief" was going on within the organisation against him that was "abetted and encouraged" by powerful elements from outside.

He, however, hoped that the inquiry by the Supreme Court would get finalised quickly so that the "true picture is known to the public at large".

According to the Prasar Bharati law, the Chairman or a Member of PB can only be removed by an order of the president on the ground of misbehaviour after the Supreme Court holds an inquiry following a reference to it.

Member (Executive) is the Chief Executive of the public broadcaster. Pending inquiry, the CEO can be placed under suspension as per the provisions of the Act. Lalli, who assumed the CEO's office in December 2006, was indicted by the Central Vigilance Commission which accused him of breach of Parliamentary privilege, giving undue favours to some broadcast companies and financial mismanagement.

The Presidential reference to the apex court for instituting an inquiry into the charges against him sets in motion his removal process.

Reacting to the presidential reference, BJP leader M Venkaiah Naidu said 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 told reporters outside Parliament.

"It is all because of the pressure by the Opposition in Parliament all these things are happening. Otherwise the government was totally unmoved," Naidu said and added "he (Lalli) should go if he has committed

any mistake."

Welcoming the decision, SP leader Mohan Singh said "This is a good decision taken by the President we welcome it. We have raised it in the Rajya Sabha."

In a press release, Lalli said while on the one hand he was sad that he has to face this situation after nearly 40 years of "unblemished" service in the IAS, on the other he derived comfort from the fact that he would finally be heard.

"At long last, due focus would be given to facts rather than conjectures, half-truths and plain lies," he said. Maintaining that he would not like to go into details of charges against him as the entire subject would be scrutinised by the highest court of the land, he said it would suffice to refer to the four allegations against him.

The allegations are: engagement by Prasar Bharati of expensive, senior advocates in a few cases, payment of 'higher' rates by AIR to get commentary rights in some cricket series and non-convening of meetings of a committee in regard to some cricket matches and 'improper' settling of the management of marketing of a few cricket series between the rights holder and Doordarshan.

The fourth charge related to non-telecast of T-20 World Cup in 2007 on Doordarshan implying thereby that a possible financial gain was permitted to be made by the rights holder.

A charge has been made that parliamentary privilege was breached by this non-telecast. Lalli said "I would only state that a lot of intrigue and mischief has been going on within the organisation which has unfortunately been abetted and encouraged by powerful elements from outside aimed at not only the demonising of an individual, but also the derailment of a premier democratic institution.

"Available record clearly and unequivocally sheds light on the transparency, good faith and sound commercial judgment in respect of all these matters. "Judicial scrutiny, I am sure, will also show that fallacious interpretation of relevant provisions of law and rules was made to arrive at certain 'conclusions' and that presumptions and prejudice held the field while the facts on record were not even acknowledged."

Lalli said he hoped the inquiry by the Supreme Court gets finalised quickly so that "true picture" is known to the public at large.