Prasar Bharati sets up committees to monitor new technologies

NEW DELHI: A Committee is being set up by Prasar Bharati to monitor fast evolving changes in technology and take appropriate action with regard to Doordarshan and All India Radio (AIR).

Prasar Bharati chairperson Mrinal Pande told indiantelevision.com that this committee would also study changes in new technologies that were emerging.

In answer to a question, she said the growth of Doordarshan mobile TV would be considered by this Committee.

This would be in addition to the already existing Committee which is going into vision and programme content for DD and AIR.

Another Committee was set up headed by Member (Personnel) to go into the status of former distinguished employees. This will comprise board members including the Radio and Doordarshan Director-Generals, Muzzafar Ali and Prema Cariappa.

The Committee will work out a fresh scheme of financial assistance to distinguished artists of AIR and Doordarshan who are in indigent condition and are not getting any pension or financial assistance from the Government.

Prasar Bharati approved a monthly financial assistance of Rs 10,000 to C. E. DeMellow, wife of the late Melville De Mellow whose booming voice had enthralled millions all over the country both on radio and Doordarshan.

C.E. DeMellow is about 93 years old and is in an indigent condition. Keeping her condition in view, Prasar Bharati with the approval of the CEO sanctioned in June 2012 a lump sum amount of Rs 50,000 and assistance of Rs 5000 per month as an interim measure.

The board decided to double the monthly financial assistance to her to Rs 10,000 with a direction to AIR to ensure timely payment.

The late Melville De Mellow had joined AIR in April 1950 and worked till April 1971 when he superannuated. Thereafter, he was retained in AIR as Producer (Emeritus) for a period of 5 years. He belonged to ?staff artistes? category.

In 1991, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry declared artistes/staff artistes as deemed Government servants with effect from 6 March 1982 but De Mellow was not covered as he had retired in 1971, he was not covered under these orders.

Meanwhile, the Prasar Bharati board gave in principle approval to the long-awaited fee-structure in 26 different categories of non-permanent staff.