In its 32nd report on the Demand for grants for the I and B ministry, the Standing Committee on Information and Technology said the ministry's financial performance during the 11th plan had not been very satisfactory.
It said the Information and Broadcasting secretary had acknowledged underspending in the ministry and cited the problems concerning Prasar Bharati as a major reason for it.
The standing committee further said the I and B secretary had expressed hope that once recommendation of the Group of Ministers (GoM) concerning Prasar Bharati are accepted by the Cabinet, things would be rationalised.
The panel hoped that "problems related to Prasar Bharati are addressed and ways are found during the 12th Plan resulting in effective implementation of various programmes which would ensure cent per cent utilisation of the outlay."
The standing committee was also critical of the ministry for not having been able to obtain formal approvals for four of its schemes for the entire duration of the eleventh Plan.
It said that four important schemes including setting up of a Global Film School, a National Centre for Excellence for Animation, Gaming and Special Effects, National Film Heritage mission and an International Channel, could not get approvals during the eleventh Plan.
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It hoped the ministry would streamline its procedures in the 12th Plan.
The committee also laid stress on raising the revenues of Doordarshan and All India Radio. More PTI ADS ALM