NEW DELHI: A committee is being set up by Prasar Bharati to monitor fast evolving changes in technology and take appropriate action with regards to All India Radio and Doordarshan.
Prasar Bharati chairperson Mrinal Pande told Radioandmusic.com that this committee would also study changes emerging in new technologies.
She said that the growth of Doordarshan mobile TV would also be considered by this committee. This would be in addition to the already existing committee which is going into vision and programme content for AIR and DD.
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Another committee was set up headed by Member (Personnel) to go into the status of former distinguished employees. This will comprise of board members including the Radio and Doordarshan director-generals, Muzzafar Ali and Prema Cariappa.
The committee will work out a fresh scheme of financial assistance to distinguished artists of AIR and Doordarshan who are in indigent condition and are not getting any pension or financial assistance from the government.
Prasar Bharati has approved a monthly financial assistance of Rs 10,000 to CE DeMellow, wife of the late Melville De Mellow whose booming voice had enthralled millions all over the country both on radio and Doordarshan. DeMellow is about 93 years old and is in indigent condition. Keeping her condition in view, Prasar Bharati with the approval of the CEO sanctioned a lump sum amount of Rs 50,000 and assistance of Rs 5000 per month as an interim measure in June 2012. The board decided to double the monthly financial assistance for her to Rs 10,000 and directed AIR to ensure timely payment.
The late Melville De Mellow had joined AIR in April 1950 and worked till April 1971 when he superannuated. Thereafter, he was retained in AIR as producer (Emeritus) for a period of five years. He belonged to the ‘staff artistes’ category.
In 1991, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry (I&B) declared artists/staff artists as deemed government servants with effect from 6 March 1982, but De Mellow was not covered under this order as he had retired in 1971.
Meanwhile, the Prasar Bharati Board gave in principle approval to the long-awaited fee-structure in 26 different categories of non-permanent staff.
