While the report on the consortium suggests that former CEO S S Gill did not take appropriate decisions, in the Krishna report, Aggarwal has suggested that the move to repeat it on DD1 was ``motivated''. Aggarwal has also cast doubts on former DD director-general K S Sarma's calculation of the opportunity cost in the sports consortium case. Ironically, Sarma was present at the meeting as a representative of the Information & Broadcasting Ministry.

Presenting Aggarwal's reports to the board, Acting CEO of Prasar Bharati O P Kejriwal said he would like immediate action on the findings. He also asked the board permission for Aggarwal to make a presentation which was denied.

Sarmaalso urged caution on two counts: that a discussion would not be possible until the board was allowed to read the reports at leisure and that the accused parties should have an opportunity to respond. He also said the board should judge whether it wanted to act on the reports of an investigator (Aggarwal) whose credentials were presented to both the board and the I&B Ministry only after he resigned.

The board then decided that it would meet on June 11 to decide on whether to demand an explanation from the accused parties or refer the reports to an investigation agency for further action. The board was also told by Sarma that Aggarwal's decision to single out Krishna smacked of personal vendetta as DD's role in it had been cleared by two High Court benches and, finally, the Supreme Court.

The board then decided that there was no urgency in the matter and the reports did not have to be released to the press. Kejriwal also told the board he would like to be relieved of his charge as CEO given that hisappointment as director of Nehru Memorial Museum and Library was almost through. The board agreed but has asked him to wait till they asked the three-member selection committee to find an alternative.

As far as I&B Minister Pramod Mahajan is concerned, though he has been apprised of the facts, he has decided to steer clear of this matter till the board makes up its mind.