GoM on Prasar Bharti to meet on Apr 18

A Group of Ministers, formed to look into the financial and capital viability of Prasar Bharti, will hold its first meeting on April 18.

A Group of Ministers, formed to look into the financial and capital viability of public broadcaster Prasar Bharti, will hold its first meeting on April 18.

HT Image

The GoM, headed by Home Minister Shivraj Patil and 13 cabinet ministers as its members, will study handing over control of Prasar Bharti's assets to the broadcaster, its CEO KS Sarma said in Hyderabad.

"What is being thought is handing over of our assets, which are currently under the government control, to us. This would boost our credit ratings from financial organisations," he said.

"The valuation of DD and AIR's assets was completed and the value is really enormous," Sarma said, refusing to reveal the figure.

To upgrade the technology, Prasar Bharti would need huge investments.

"Currently, Rs 500 crore is being invested but we need to double this for a fast-paced digitisation," Sarma said.