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  India   Press body, I&B argue over powers after warrant

Press body, I&B argue over powers after warrant

AGE CORRESPONDENT WITH AGENCY INPUTS
Published : Apr 16, 2016, 1:15 am IST
Updated : Apr 16, 2016, 1:15 am IST

Days after serving a bailable arrest warrant against Union I&B ministry secretary Sunil Arora, the Press Council of India and the ministry seem to be at loggerheads over the issue of the media body’s

Days after serving a bailable arrest warrant against Union I&B ministry secretary Sunil Arora, the Press Council of India and the ministry seem to be at loggerheads over the issue of the media body’s powers.

I&B ministry sources stated that the PCI has “limited powers” and cannot decide everything like the judiciary. Sources said that under the Press Council Act, the PCI has been given powers to summon attendance of persons and examine them on oath, only for two purposes — for carrying out its functions and for holding an inquiry. The financial and legislative proposals of the PCI are examined in the ministry and legislature respectively, sources said.

However, PCI chairman Justice C.K. Prasad (Retd), told agencies that the council was of the “prima facie” view that it does have the powers to issue such a warrant. He said the council is willing to listen to the ministry’s contention in this regard.

The decision to secure Mr Arora’s attendance before the council at its next scheduled meeting here on April 22 was taken by its members at their meeting on April 11.

Directing the I&B secretary to appear before it on April 11, the PCI on March 17 had decided to institute a suo moto inquiry into the “continued apathy” of the ministry towards the activities of the council, particularly at its efforts to preserve the freedom of the press and its mandate under the Press Council Act. Mr Arora is scheduled to retire on April 30.

Mr Prasad said the ministry had in its initial response questioned the council’s powers but in another communication on Wednesday said the I&B secretary will come. A request was also made to the council to consider a change in the date for the secretary’s appearance.

Mr Prasad said a decision on the issue will be taken after seeking views of all the Council members amid suggestions by a few that the direction for issuing the warrant be kept in abeyance.

It is understood that the proposals of PCI for enhancement of their powers and expansion of their mandate required wide consultations with all the concerned stakeholders before firming up the legislative proposal for amendment in the Press Council Act, 1978. Sources said that it is also important to note that under section 25 of Press Council Act, the power to make rules for enhancement of allowance of fees to the members of PCI lies with the Central Government.

The Council through a resolution passed at its meeting held on March 17 had decided to summon Arora on April 11 to explain the government’s position on powers to the Council, proposals to make it self-sufficient like enhancing the levy fee and enhancing sitting fee of non-official members to Rs 4,000 from the current Rs 1,000.

Location: India, Delhi, New Delhi