Central govt status to DD/AIR staff likely soon

The fate of 40,000 Doordarshan and All India Radio employees hangs in balance as the group of ministers on Prasar Bharati is expected to meet on August 22 to take a decision on granting Central government employee status to them.

The long-pending issue of providing central government employee status is expected to be the main agenda of the GoM, which is possible only through an amendment of the Prasar Bharati Act.

According to Prasar Bharati sources, it is being speculated that the August 22 meeting will be the last one of the GoM since the United Progressive Alliance government is already in poll mode. The DD and AIR employees are, therefore, pinning all their hopes on the outcome of this meeting.

Though the information and broadcasting ministry had approved the employees' other demands of allotment of general pool accommodation, provision of CGHS facilities and admission of their wards in Kendriya Vidyalayas, they were demanding the removal of their 'deemed deputation' status and seeking central government employee status.

The contention of Prasar Bharati employees was that all the other perks could become null and void till they were not granted the central government employee status.

Representatives of National Federation of Akashvani and Doordarshan Employees told PTI that Information and  Broadcasting Minister P R Dasmunsi had given them an assurance on June 2 that the issue would be discussed in the GoM meeting, whose date at that time was not decided.