Prasar Bharati must stand on its own feet on way to autonomy: A. Surya Prakash

New Delhi: Prasar Bharati must generate more revenues, monetize its assets and “stand on its own feet” on way to achieving full autonomy and financial independence, says its new chairperson, A. Surya Prakash. Looking at the Prasar Bharati Act, it is clear that the will of Parliament is that the corporation should function as a genuinely autonomous body—innovative, dynamic and flexible and that is what he intends to pursue.

“If you ask me—are we there? We are still not there. There are two reasons, the bulk of our employees are central government employees. You are still to have the Prasar Bharati Recruitment Board (PBRB) in place... So bulk of our employees are central government employees and 50% of our budget comes from the Union government,” he told PTI.

Surya Prakash said that budgetary support this year is approximately 50% of the budget of Prasar Bharati (Broadcasting Corporation of India). “I am of the view that as we go along, this corporation must generate more revenues, monetize its assets and one fine day stand on its own feet... I will say, that, if you want to get to full autonomy, you must become financially independent. It is very important,” he said. Surya Prakash said that in Prasar Bharati there are employees who have not got promotions for 20 years which is an issue that needs to be addressed.