Isolating CEO B S Lalli further on the Prasar Bharati board,chairman Arun Bhatnagar has endorsed all the charges made by other board members against the CEO,and called for an independent and time-bound inquiry into allegations of various irregularities in the broadcaster. In his affidavit before the HC,which is hearing a public interest litigation challenging the Governments decision to grant a three-year extension to Lalli,Bhatnagar also revealed that he was not consulted for extending the CEOs tenure. I submit that the functioning of Prasar Bharati has,for quite some time now,been a matter of gravest concern for the Members of the Board, Bhatnagar said in his affidavit. I respectfully submit that,given the deplorable state of affairs in Prasar Bharati at present and the widespread impression in respect of rampant corruption and various types of irregularities,it is urgently necessary to institute an independent,comprehensive and time-bound inquiry by any agency that is regarded as appropriate and competent for the purpose by this Honourable court, he said. As regards the continuance of Shri B S Lalli,Executive Member,beyond the term of his appointment,I state that this was a decision taken by the Government of India. I was,at no stage,consulted in the matter, he said. As first reported by The Indian Express,a majority of the members of Prasar Bharati Board had expressed their displeasure over the functioning of the CEO and alleged financial irregularities in the functioning of the organisation. So much so,that the Board had recommended the withdrawal of all powers delegated to the CEO. This mood was reflected in the minutes of the Board meetings on January 21 and February,but Lalli had contested these minutes and floated alternative versions. In his affidavit before the court,Bhatnagar said only the minutes issued under his signatures were factually accurate and correct.
