In a sudden move, public broadcaster Prasar Bharati has terminated the services of a key advisor for Doordarshan's 'Kisan' channel.
According to sources, through an order issued on July 11, the services of Naresh Sirohi have been "terminated with immediate effect."
Sirohi, who is known to have been associated with BJP's Kisan Morcha, was a member of the steering committee for the launch of the 'DD Kisan' channel.
DD Kisan channel, an ambitious initiative of the NDA government, was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year.
Senior Prasar Bharati and Doordarshan officials said that Sirohi's nomination as member of the steering committee had been terminated.
While the exact reasons behind the move could not be ascertained, an official said that recently Doordarshan had also cancelled the appointment of certain 'DD Kisan monitors' which had been made by Sirohi in various districts.
Sirohi, when contacted, admitted that his services had been brought to an end but emphasised that the appointments of DD Kisan monitors was done as desired by the Prasar Bharati top brass and there was nothing improper about it.
"Kisan monitors were appointed after the approval of top Prasar Bharati officials and they have done a lot of good work in connecting farmers with the channel. There is nothing improper in the process," Sirohi said, alleging that there is a move to damage the channel and give it in private hands.
He also said a couple of months ago he had written a note to the Information and Broadcasting Ministry about the "unsatisfactory" state of affairs prevailing in the channel and suggested that it may have gone against him.
