Kajol not to be sacked from Prasar Bharati

New Delhi: Actor Kajol, known for her proximity to the saffron camp, has managed to save herself from being evicted from the Prasar Bharati Board. There was an uproar and demand to sack her from the public service broadcaster’s panel in the last board meeting after she skipped its four consecutive meetings. It is now understood that the board has accepted her leave of absence and allowed her to continue.

This newspaper on May 19 reported that the issue of Kajol’s repeated absence from the board meeting was raised by several agitated members of the public broadcaster, after which the Union information and broadcasting ministry is understood to have sought clarification on from Kajol.  

After detailed deliberations, Kajol’s explanation that she missed these meetings “due to prior professional commitments and also due to a family emergency on medical grounds through most of this year” was accepted. The actress has been told to be present in the next meeting of the Prasar Bharati Board likely to take place soon, sources stated.

The actor was appointed to the board as its part-time member in February 2016. Sources said Kajol missed the last four board meetings making her liable for the removal from the position. “A member is deemed to have vacated office if absent for three consecutive meetings of the board without the leave of the chairman,” sources said.

The I&B ministry sought a report regarding the actor’s repeated absence without permission in May. Kajol’s clarification came after she presented her side.

Prasar Bharati is an independent body under the I&B ministry’s administrative jurisdiction, which governs the public broadcasters Doordarshan and All India Radio.

The public broadcaster is governed by a board, which comprises a chairman, an executive member, a member each for finance and personnel matters, six part-time members, then ministry’s representative (one) and the DGs of AIR and Doordarshan as ex-officio members.