The Supreme Court on Monday asked the government to submit factual details about allegations of “irregularities” against suspended Prasar Bharati CEO B.S. Lalli.
During a hearing on the presidential reference for his removal, which is mandatory for removal of the public broadcaster’s CEO under the Prasar Bharati Act, a bench of Chief Justice S.H. Kapadia and Justices K.S. Radhakrishnan and Swatanter Kumar gave the government three weeks to submit details.
The reference was made due to serious allegations of acts of commission and omission by him in running the affairs of Prasar Bharati, as cited in the CAG report.
The information and broadcasting had recommended his suspension to the Prime Minister, and a presidential order to this effect was issued on December 21 on the Cabinet’s advice. Besides irregularities pointed out by the CAG, other serious allegations had been levelled against him over a Comm-onwealth Games telecast contract given to a UK company, SIS Live, being investigated by the Shunglu panel.
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Upset Delhi CM shoots off letter to PC
Age Correspondent
New Delhi
Feb. 14: The Delhi chief minister, Ms Sheila Dikshit, on Monday shot off a protest letter to Union home minister P. Chidambaram and has sought time for a meeting to discuss the transfer of senior city government officials at a crucial time without consulting and informing her.
“The chief minister has sought time from the Union home minister for a meeting. There are issues which can be talked about in a meeting only,” said a senior official.
Ms Dikshit has in her letter reportedly said that the budget-making process has been disturbed as key officials heading various departments have been transferred.
“Top officials have been transferred out in one go. Those who have been brought to serve in the city government are too junior to be given important responsibilities,” Ms Dikshit is said to have said in the letter.