SC refuses to restore Prasar Bharti CEO`s exclusive powers

The SC Friday directed that all day-to-day work of the public broadcaster would be handled jointly by a three-member team consisting of its CEO and Members (Finance and Personnel) in accordance with a Delhi High Court order.

New Delhi: The Supreme Court Friday directed that all day-to-day work of the public broadcaster would be handled jointly by a three-member team consisting of its CEO and Members (Finance and Personnel) in accordance with
a Delhi High Court order.

A bench comprising justices R V Raveendran and A K
Patnaik clarified that the Delhi High Court`s order for
appointment of a three-member committee to handle day-to-day
affairs of the Corporation will be applicable till it decides
Lalli`s appeal against the Delhi High Court verdict.

The court passed the order after it was pointed out
that Prasar Bharati secretariat has already passed the order
in compliance with the High Court`s verdict.

"Until further order, it is made clear that the
direction in the office order of August 20, 2009 issued by
Prasar Bharti secretariat under the signature of its CEO
stating that all executive powers delegated by the board to
the sub-committee comprising the CEO, member (Finance ) and
Member (Personnel) shall be implemented," a bench comprising
justices R V Raveendran and A K Patnaik said.

The court was hearing an appeal filed by Lalli,
challenging the HC order which had directed that the
day-to-day work of the public broadcaster would be handled by a three-man team consisting the CEO, Member (Finance) and Member (Personnel) of the Board.
In its interim order on Aug 24, 2009, the apex Court
had allowed CVC inquiry in the alleged financial irregularity
of the Corporation as directed by the High Court but had
stayed the part of the order in which the HC had appointed a
retired judge as an observer for the board meeting.

During the hearing, Additional Solicitor General Vivek
Tankha informed the court that the CVC report has been
received and it has been referred to the Law ministry for its
view.
The bench, however, said that it has nothing to do
with that report at present and favoured implementation of
the direction relating to the day-to-day functioning of the
Prasar Bharati by the three member Board.

PTI

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