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According to Prasar Bharati sources, a departmental inquiry conducted
by Prasar Bharati revealed prima facie evidence to show that Chakrabarty
did not conduct himself in a "free and fair" manner in allocating
commissioned programmes from the North East software development
package.
The departmental inquiry was ordered by DD director-general Dr
S Y Quraishi, following complaints from the North East Television
Producers' Association. They alleged that the programmes were allocated
to outside producers, especially to an alleged cartel of producers
called 'Doordarshan Empanelled Producers' Association, New Delhi.
The grouse of the NE producers was that, the outside producers
bagged most of the lucrative projects with their 'smart operating'
techniques depriving the local producers their share of programmes.
DD Kendra North East had invited proposals for programmes to be
made on the literary works of Sahitya Akademi Award winners. As
per the Commissioned Programme guidelines, the proposals were to
be received in response to the advertisements placed in newspapers
and broadcast on TV and radio.
In all, there were 103 proposals that were considered, out of which
62 were approved by the Evaluation Committee. It has now been brought
to light that out of the 103 proposals, 22 were unsolicited proposals
and were hardly relevant to the advertisement placed. All 22 proposals
were cleared for commissioning.
There were allegations that DD official accepted 'cuts' ranging
from 15 to 25 per cent, in some cases even 40 per cent for clearing
the proposals. Surprisingly, there were banners put outside the
Doordarshan Kendra announcing the rate of commission.
Chakrabarty could not be contacted for comments despite attempts
made by indiantelevision.com.
Nine producers complained that their proposals were rejected without
even screening. They alleged that they received the letter calling
them to appear before the evaluation committee, after the due date
was over. It has been found out that those producers who had struck
a deal were intimated over telephone. (Apparently some producers
were able to attend the meeting on time, even though their letters
reached them much later.)
According to the sources, from among the producers who 'bagged'
commissioned programmes, there were some with no knowledge of film
making, and a couple of others with dubious professional credentials.
These producers bagged programmes worth Rs 0.9 to 2.4 million.
Currently, out of the 62 proposals that were cleared, 24 proposals
have been found to be manouvred and now stand rejected. Rest of
the 38 proposals were given the go ahead, Prasar Bharati sources
said.
Nine producers who had complained about late receipt of invitation,
were asked to present themselves before an evaluation committee
in Guwahati on 20 March 2003. Their proposals will be considered
on merit.
Departmental action will be taken against Chakrabarty and punishment
could be accorded on circumstantial evidence, the sources said.
Also Doordarshan Guwhati's deputy director general P K Singson,
has been asked for an explanation for his inaction in curbing the
corruption.
The Departmental Inquiry was conducted by Uday Sahay, IPS, the
Chief Vigilance Officer of Prasar Bharati. The Office of the CVO
was established in 2001, with a view to provide an internal cleansing
mechanism for Doordarshan and AIR, so that the matters do not end
up in CBI's lap every now and then. Prasar Bharati has a Rs 220
million software budget for the North East region.
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