Declining to stay the launch of the channel as had been demanded by the opposition parties, the three-member Commission has asked the Prasar Bharati board to ensure its neutrality, objectivity and fairness during the "sensitive" election period.

In an order issued this evening, the Commission said it expects "that the Information and Broadcasting Ministry and the political executive will leave the policy, planning and operational management of the news-related programmes as well as the new channel, in the hands of the Prasar Bharati Corporation, its board and the professionals".

Three opposition parties had written to the EC last week saying they feared the news channel would be misused by the ruling coalition during the polls.

The Commission in its order said it expected the Corporation to play an active role in managing the"neutrality, objectivity and fairness of the public broadcasting/telecasting facilities during this sensitive period".

Sharing the fears of the the opposition, the EC said it was "concerned" about the possibilities of the news and related programmes of the state-owned media being misused.

While major policy issues on the role of the public broadcasting institutions and the need for a broadcasting regulatory authority would, have to be considered by the next Parliament and the new government, at the present juncture the Commission said it hoped the Prasar Bharati Corporation would play its appropriate role in management of the state-owned media and discharge its national responsibilities.

The EC's exhaustive order touched on the broadcasting management scenario in the country, saying it noted 'with anxiety' reports of alleged attempts to extend lucrative contracts to media personalities for the new channel and the Opposition's charge that this could give and unfair advantage to the ruling coalition. "Anysuch step is sure to vitiate the level playing field in media's coverage which has a vital role in the elections," the EC said.