The Government got the Prasar Bharati (Broadcasting Corporation of India) Amendment Bill 2008, passed by the Lok Sabha on Monday, after it drew heavy flak for bringing in an ordinance to amend the Prasar Bharati Act, days before the current Parliament session was to commence.

The move was seen an attempt to ease out current Prasar Bharati Chairman M V Kamath.

The Bill, introduced by Information and Broadcasting Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi, proposes to fix the upper age limit for the board chairman at 70 years and to cut the tenure of the office from six years to three. Appointed during the NDA regime, Kamath is an octagenarian and has been in office since 2003.

In contrast, the Bill seeks to raise the upper age limit of the executive members on the Board from 62 years to 65 even while bringing down their tenure from six years to five.

Significantly, the Bill also proposes that once the Act comes into effect, the incumbent in the Chairman’s office will cease to hold office if his appointment is inconsistent with the provisions of the Act and will “not be entitled to any compensation because of his ceasing to hold such office”.

Explaining the reason for fixing the maximum age for Chairman and cutting down his tenure by half, the statement of objects and reasons listed in the Bill says that this would ensure “appointment of comparatively younger talent and experience” and “help to bring diversity of experience at the top level for the benefit of the organisation”.

... contd.