The Rajya Sabha passed a bill to amend the law governing the Broadcasting Corporation of India on Thursday. It ensures that recruitments between November, 1997 and October, 2007 will be considered as deemed deputation till retirement. The Bill was approved by the House through a voice-vote.

Winding up the debate on the Bill, the Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni that the employees working in the Corporation are being brought under a structure but decisions in this regard were delayed as employees had moved the Central Administrative Tribunal and High Court. She announced that the government will bring another amendment bill on Prasar Bharati for setting up of Broadcasting Council and other issues in the next session of Parliament.

Speaking on the Bill, she denied the allegations that Doordarshan Urdu has been closed. She said about 80 crore rupees have been spent to strengthen the channel. She said the government has spent 110 crore rupees for strengthening the telecast system in border areas. She said 264 crore rupees were spent to strengthen Doordarshan Kashir. Mrs. Soni said the viewership of Doordarshan is very high even in Pak-occupied areas.

Refuting the allegations of not according recognition to the employees associations, the Minister said that the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has issued guidelines in
this regard.