NEW DELHI: Lok Sabha, unanimously passed the historic Prasar Bharti Bill, granting autonomy to Akash Wani and Doordarshan, the state-run radio and television networks.
Fulfilling one of the promises made in their November ‘89 election manifesto, the nine month old National Front government announced that the broadcasting corporation would come into being by March 31 next year.
Amidst loud thumping of desks by members from all sides, information and broadcasting minister, P Upendra, said the government would require an outer limit of six months to complete the formalities after the measure was adopted by the Rajya Sabha and received presidential assent, Thanking the members and the chair for their cooperation, Upendra said this was a new beginning. The electronic media have been under government control since India’s liberation 43 years ago.
He said he was aware that the measure may not satisfy all. “We will gain by experience”.
Upendra said the bill had been discussed and debated for several years and added that the government had accepted several years and added that the government had accepted several suggestions and amendments but the basic objective of autonomy to the electronic media had not been compromised.
It was a great sacrifice for a ruling party to part with a powerful authority, he said.
Article extracted from this publication >> September 7, 1990
