Relevance:
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) has issued an advisory stating that all the existing broadcasting of Central Government Ministries, State/UT Governments and related entities would have to be brought under the Prasar Bharati route as per the new guidelines.
Prasar Bharati:
- It is the Public Service Broadcaster of the country.
- A statutory autonomous body established under the Prasar Bharati Act in 1997.
- Objective – To provide autonomy to Doordarshan and Akashvani in order to educate and entertain the public.
Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI):
- A statutory body established under Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997.
- Headquarters: New Delhi
- Objectives –
- To create and nurture conditions for growth of telecommunications in the country.
- To regulate telecom services including fixation/revision of tariffs for telecom services.
- To provide a fair and transparent policy environment.
- Members –
- Chairperson
- Vice-Chairperson
- 2 whole-time members & 2 part-time members
- Appointed by: Government of India
- Tenure: 3 years or 65 years of age
- Decisions of the meetings – Majority voting (Chairperson or the member presiding the meeting has a casting vote in case of equality)
- Recommendations are not binding.
- Powers –
- Order for Furnishing Information
- Appointments for Inquiry
- Order for Inspection
- Issue Directions to Service Providers
Reference: The Hindu
