Parliamentary Committee on Prasar Bharati

The Parliamentary Committee on Prasar Bharati is a committee of Members of Parliament provided for under the Prasar Bharati Act, 1990, to oversee the broadcaster’s discharge of its statutory functions. Established under Section 22, it links parliamentary scrutiny to the public-service objectives assigned to Prasar Bharati.

Composition and procedure

Section 22 provides for a 22-member committee drawn from both Houses of Parliament. Its composition and procedure are specified as follows:

• 15 members are elected by the Lok Sabha, from among its members.
• 7 members are elected by the Rajya Sabha, from among its members.
• Members are elected through proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote, rather than being nominated by the government.
• The Committee functions according to rules made by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.

Statutory oversight and reporting mandate

The Committee must oversee whether Prasar Bharati discharges its functions in accordance with the Prasar Bharati (Broadcasting Corporation of India) Act, 1990. Its mandate particularly emphasises compliance with the objectives set out in Section 12.

• Its statutory scrutiny concerns the Corporation’s performance of its functions, with particular attention to its public-service obligations.
• The Committee must submit a report to Parliament on the discharge of these functions.
• The mandate is one of parliamentary oversight and reporting; Section 22 does not assign the Committee responsibility for running broadcasting services.

Public-service objectives guiding scrutiny

Section 12 makes public broadcasting services the Corporation’s primary duty: informing, educating and entertaining the public while ensuring balanced development of broadcasting on radio and television. The Committee’s scrutiny therefore extends beyond audience size or commercial performance.

• Prasar Bharati must uphold the country’s unity and integrity and the values enshrined in the Constitution.
• It must safeguard citizens’ right to be informed freely, truthfully and objectively, including through a fair and balanced presentation of contrasting views.
• It must pay special attention to education, literacy, agriculture, rural development, health, family welfare, environment, science and technology.
• It must provide adequate coverage to India’s diverse cultures and languages and address the needs of groups such as children, women, older persons and weaker sections.