Action against Prasar Bharati chief executive anytime soon

The suspension of Prasar Bharti chief executive BS Lalli appears to be a matter of time now with President Pratibha Patil likely to clear it before her visit to Hyderabad for her annual sojourn in Hyderabad beginning tomorrow.

The letter recommending his suspension was sent to the PMO by the information and broadcasting ministry which has now sent it to the President for her assent.

According to the Prasar Bharati Act, the chairman or a member of Prasar Bharati can only be removed by an order of the president on the ground of misbehaviour after the Supreme Court holds an inquiry following a reference to it.

Member (Executive) is the chief executive of the public broadcaster. Pending inquiry, the chief executive can be placed under suspension as per the provisions of the Act.

Lalli, a 1971-batch IAS officer, is in the eye of a storm over allegations of irregularities in the public broadcasting body which included the controversial decision to give the contract for broadcast of recently concluded Commonwealth Games to a UK-based firm SIS Live.

The ministry's move recommending his suspension came a week after President Patil gave her assent to a Supreme Court inquiry into the alleged irregularities in Prasar Bharati.

Lalli, who assumed the chief executive's office in December 2006, was indicted by the Central Vigilance Commission which accused him of breach of Parliamentary privilege, giving undue favours to some broadcast companies and financial mismanagement.

Reacting to the Presidential reference, Lalli (63) had said "a lot of intrigue and mischief" was going on within the organisation against him that was "abetted and encouraged" by powerful elements from outside.

He, however, hoped that the inquiry by the Supreme Court would get finalised quickly so that the "true picture is known to the public at large".