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NEW
DELHI: AK Jain, the beleaguered Member (Finance) in the Prasar
Bharati Board, has sought protection against his victimisation
by the Board for pointing out irregularities in the functioning
of the pubcaster.
Jain
made this plea when he had been summoned to tender evidence
in the inquiry being conducted by the Supreme Court into the
functioning of former CEO BS Lalli.
The
inquiry is being conducted in the Registry of the apex court
which has already heard evidence of Member (Personnel) and
is currently hearing the evidence being tendered by some personnel
dealing with Sports. It is learnt that Jain placed documents
on record to show financial and administrative irregularities
on various issues.
The
five allegations established by Central Vigilance Commission
relate to contracts for management of advertisement revenue
arising from the telecast of cricket matches on Doordarshan
during 2007; the non-telecast by Doordarshan of T-20 cricket
World Cup matches held in South Africa in September 2007;
engagement of legal entities to represent Prasar Bharati;
purchase of Radio Broadcasting Rights for 13 cricket series
held during 2007-09; and hiring of transport and accommodation
for the conduct of the Commonwealth Youth Games in Pune in
2008.
Lalli
had been suspended on 22 December 2010 following a detailed
inquiry by a Supreme Court judge into financial irregularities
by him.
President
Pratibha Devisingh Patil gave her approval on 21 December
2010 to a reference in this regard sent by the Information
and Broadcasting Ministry through the Prime Minister’s
office. The President had earlier the same month accepted
a reference from the Prime Minister for an inquiry against
Lalli, and directed that a Supreme Court judge be appointed
for this purpose.
Lalli,
who became CEO in December 2006, is a 1971 batch officer of
the Indian Administrative Service from Uttar Pradesh. He had
succeeded KS Sarma, who had completed his term in June 2006.
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