NEW DELHI: Admitting there was an overall shortage of talent in Prasar Bharati, minister of information and broadcasting Smriti Zubin Irani said a manpower audit was in progress in this regard by the pubcaster.
Answering a question in the Parliament, she said several sanctioned posts were lying vacant. She said that audit being done on the recommendation of the Sam Pitroda Committee report, was expected to be completed during 2017-18.
Earlier this year, a Parliamentary Committee had said that minimal action had been taken on the report submitted in February 2014 to revitalize Prasar Bharati.
The Committee also noted that the Department of Expenditure has expressed inability to undertake the work of man power audit despite assurances in reply to several questions in Parliament.
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology which also examines issues relating to I and B Ministry recommended that the terms for reference for conduct of manpower audit be worked out and the manpower audit which is critical to both All India Radio and Doordarshan completed within the current financial year 2017-18 as assured to the Committee.
It noted that the Ministry had asked Prasar Bharati to prepare an action plan on the 26 recommendations of the Sam Pitroda Committee.
The Parliamentary Committee expressed concern that ‘there is no progress in the issue of man power audit’.
When Prasar Bharati was suggested to explore the feasibility of manpower audit through some reputed public/private agencies, the Internal Finance Division advised for pre-determination of terms of reference for conduct of manpower audit before inviting quotations from reputed audit organization.
But the Committee noted that Prasar Bharati was yet to take a decision in the matter. “The Committee need not emphasise that manpower related issues have time and again affected the efficiency and performance of the organization. Prasar Bharati in order to achieve its vision and compete with private broadcasters needs to attract, retain and develop talent in the organization. It needs to respond to changing market conditions and make an assessment of its manpower requirement to overcome the competency gaps”, the Committee said.
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