AIR and DD on 2-day strike demanding immediate dissolution of Prasar Bharathi

AIR and DD on 2-day strike demanding immediate dissolution of Prasar Bharathi

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Nov 23: The National Federation of Akashvani and Doordarshan Employees (NFADE) is organizing a 2-day strike, demanding the immediate repeal of the Prasar Bharathi Act 1990 and the dissolution of Prasar Bharathi. The strike has paralyzed normal broadcasts at Doordharshan and Akashvani. The boycott, which commenced at 9:00 a.m. today, will continue till 9:00 a.m. on Nov 25.

Akashvani and Doordarshan employees staged a demonstration in front of Akashvani Mangalore on Nov 23, Tuesday. They held placards in their hands and shouted slogans, demanding immediate fulfillment of their demands.

A press release here stated that 336 Akashavani kendras and 1,464 Doordarshan kendras from all over India will participate in this protest. Accusing the current chief executive officer of Prasar Bharathi of providing a distorted view of Prasar Bharathi’s current financial status, NFADE said that centre is no longer providing financial assistance to the body as a result of this. The NFADE said that the CEO’s statement that Prasar Bharathi will earn 50 percent of its total expenditure on its own is unrealistic and might lead to the death of Prasar Bharathi. The employees, whose livelihood is now at stake, have decided to protest till the concerned authorities take notice.

According to NFADE’s official statement, the maintenance of buildings, transmitters, and other infrastructure is very difficult and the employees are not getting their salaries on time. Akashvani and Doordarshan, which focus on public service, are unable to compete with private channels or generate sufficient income to meet its expenses. Both Akashvani and Doordarshan will have to be closed down if the government does not assist them financially.

NFADE further stated that a 3-day strike will be held from Dec 13 – 16 if the government does not reconsider its decisions. The body also added that the proposed strike will be made indefinite if the government fails to respond in a favorable manner.

Recently, a resolution was passed at the national seminar held in Mangalore under the aegis of NFADE, according to which the union government was urged to dissolve Prasar Bharathi, which is now simply an organization catering to the requirements of a few people, and to take up the management of Doordarshan and Akashvani instead.