Reasons for discontinuing Marathi broadcasting programs during the afternoon hours sought - copy of the order of the higher authorities provided - decision was a policy decision – CIC: a case of grievance rather than seeking any information
6 Aug, 2013Order
1. In respect of the decision of the authorities to discontinue Marathi broadcasting programs during the afternoon hours, the Appellant had wanted to know the reasons for that. The CPIO had provided him with a copy of the order of the higher authorities based on which the programme had been discontinued during those hours. Not satisfied, he had preferred an appeal. The Appellate Authority had explained in detail the background of this decision and disposed of the appeal.
2. During the hearing, the Appellant submitted that Ahmednagar being a district level broadcasting station, the local population had expected it to continue to broadcast the Marathi programme and not introduce the Vividh Bharti programme in its place. He wanted the programme to be restored. On the other hand, the respondent submitted that this decision was a policy decision taken for all the district level broadcasting stations in the country and Ahmednagar was no exception. He also explained that the station was still broadcasting several hours of Marathi programme every day both in the morning and the evening and that the switchover to the broadcasting of the Vividh Bharti programme during certain hours of the day was a considered decision taken largely for commercial reasons.
3. This is more a case of grievance against the authorities rather than seeking any information. Between the CPIO and the Appellate Authority, the entire information about the discontinuance of the Marathi programme during some hours of the day has already been provided. If the Appellant is dissatisfied over this decision of the authorities, he should take it up with the competent authorities in the Prasar Bharti because there is no remedy for it under the RTI.
(Satyananda Mishra)
Chief Information Commissioner
Citation: Sh. D V Belapurkar, Harihar Prasad v. Prasar Bharati, Broadcasting Corporation of India, Akashwani in File No.CIC/SM/A/2013/000160