I&B sets ball rolling for Lalli's ouster

The information and broadcasting ministry has set in motion the process to suspend Prasar Bharati CEO BS Lalli in the wake of allegations against him, by writing to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).

The information and broadcasting ministry has set in motion the process to suspend Prasar Bharati CEO BS Lalli in the wake of allegations against him, by writing to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).

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A letter recommending the suspension of Lalli has been sent to the PMO, official sources said on Sunday.

The PMO has to send the letter to President Pratibha Patil for her assent. Under the Prasar Bharati Act, only the President of India can order the removal or suspension of the chief executive officer (CEO) of the state-owned broadcaster.

Lalli, a 1971-batch IAS officer, is in the eye of a storm over allegations of irregularities in Prasar Bharti which included the controversial decision to give the contract for broadcast of recently concluded Commonwealth Games to a UK-based firm, SIS Live.

The ministry's move came a week after President Pratibha Patil gave her assent to a Supreme Court-monitored investigation into the alleged irregularities.