Vacancies in AIR, DD etc. and reasons for delay in filling up the vacancies..

There is no failure of co-ordination between Prasar Bharati, DoPT, UPSC and the Ministry. There are approximately 14389 posts vacant in All India Radio (AIR) and Doordarshan (DD) in various categories. These vacancies have arisen due to retirement, resignation and death of officers and employees and matching direct recruitment not having taken place. Some of the promotional vacancies are unfilled due to prolonged and multiple litigations. However, the delay in filling vacancies is not due to non-application of the reservation policy and is due to other factors as mentioned below:

Direct recruitment could not be undertaken due to the following major factors:-

1. UPSC has stopped undertaking direct recruitments for Prasar Bharati upon its creation as an autonomous corporation;
2. Non-finalization of Recruitment Regulations; and
3. Delay in setting up of Prasar Bharati Recruitment Board (PBRB) as envisaged in the Prasar Bharati Act, 1990.

The finalization of Recruitment Regulations and setting up of PBRB could not be taken up till 2010 due to resistance of employees against absorption in the corporation and consequent uncertainty in the status of employees.

Subsequently based on the recommendations of the Group of Ministers on Prasar Bharati (GoM), the Prasar Bharati Act, 1990 has been amended in January, 2012 thereby settling the status of employees of Prasar Bharati. Both the proposals of framing Recruitment Regulations for Prasar Bharati employees and setting up the PBRB are at advanced stage of inter-ministerial consultations. The Government has also recently permitted Prasar Bharati to fill 1150 essential vacancies in relaxation of austerity guidelines.

The instructions of the Government on reservation policy are being followed. Moreover, whenever any complaint is received relating to non-observance of these orders scrupulously, appropriate remedial action is taken.

The above information has been submitted by MoI&B in reply of undermentioned Rajya Sabha queries:-