Ideologically, I favour abolition of I & B Ministry: Javadekar

In the coming years words like 'government-run', 'government-controlled' or 'government intervention' will be heard less and less, adds Javadekar

Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar is "philosphically" and "ideologically" in favour of doing away with the ministry as part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's plank of "less government, more governance."

Javadekar was asked whether India needed an I&B Ministry when many major democracies do not have such a ministry.

"I think you are giving a good line for us. But ultimately, when our Prime Minister Narendra Modi says that more governance and less government, so you are actually contributing to the idea of less government and more governance. That's our focus, but to achieve that end you have to follow a process.

"But I would like that government becomes less and less and freedom and market forces and at the same time social justice is achieved," Javadekar replied.

He was speaking to Karan Thapar for Headline Today's programme 'Nothing but the Truth'. Thapar asked Javadekar if he meant that three of four years down the line, he would like to ensure that this (I&B) ministry ceases to exist.

"Philosphically or ideologically, I'll be willing to do that," he said and added that in the coming years words like 'government-run', 'government-controlled' or 'government intervention' will be heard less and less.

Thapar asked Javadekar whether Prime Minister Modi was also philosophically and ideologically in agreement with his line of thinking.

"Absolutely," Javadekar replied and added the Prime Minister always said less government and more governance.

In the past, former union minister Manish Tewari had also reportedly said the I&B ministry belonged to a past era.

Speaking further, Javadekar also suggested he was open to appointment of professional editors for Doordarshan and AIR.