Taking Charge of a ministry that has, in the recent past, taken charge of what viewers can and cannot watch, Jaipal Reddy makes a comeback in Information and Broadcasting in different times. He had freed the Prasar Bharati Corporation from the government’s clutches in 1997, now he must untangle it from the mess it finds itself in, still tagged, in spirit, to the government in power. To begin at the top, chairman M.V. Kamath’s ideological leanings are well known. The chronicler of Narendra Modi, officials say, is too close to the Sangh Parivar for the present government’s comfort. Kamath does not expect trouble from the present dispensation and says he will complete his tenure as chairman of the Corporation.As per rules, octogenarian Kamath, whose tenure has been extended for another six years, can be removed only by the President of India, on the ground of misdemeanour after the Supreme Court on a reference made to it by the President, decides thus.Then, there is part-time member Bhupen Hazarika who lost the elections. The third part-time member is former bureaucrat M.L. Mehta who had endeared himself to Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat during the latter’s tenure as chief minister of Rajasthan. Social worker Chitra Mudgal is another BJP appointment. Both cannot be removed unless the President so desires. CEO of the Corporation, K.S. Sarma, is likely to continue.Since it became autonomous in 1997, the corporation has seen five CEOs and four chairpersons - all political appointments. From former editor of Mainstream Nikhil Chakravartty appointed by the UF Government to M.V. Kamath, appointed by the BJP, all members have been backed by political authority.The News channel started in November last, too, was dubbed by the Opposition as a political decision, with a definite bias towards the ruling party.To top it all, the corporation once valued at Rs 37,000 crore has been riddled with controversial appointements and exits and corruption charges, even as its revenues continue to tumble. This time, they barely reached Rs 500 crore; Government expenditure incurred is close to Rs 1,800 crore.Once he manages the Corporation, Reddy will have to turn to the series of cases slapped by radio FM companies who have declined to pay licence fee totalling Rs 100 crore to the Government. The companies have, instead, suggested a deferred payment till such time as recommendations to improve the nascent industry are debated upon. The Ministry says the Union Cabinet has to decide on that but as of now, is dragged to courts by the companies as it wants them to pay up now.Then, of course, there is the implementation of CAS which dropped like a hot potato by the NDA government. He will have to take his call one whether to bury it or come out in its favour.Finally, of course, he must sign on the dotted line for the TATA-Star DTH venture. Ministry officials have indicated the channel should be give a letter of intent now that it has satisfied the rules which put a cap of 49 pr cent on foreign equity. Ironically, Reddy was the Information and Broadcasting Minister in the UF government which banned DTH.
