By IANS,
New Delhi: With President Pratibha Patil giving her assent for a Supreme Court enquiry, Prasar Bharti CEO B.S. Lalli Thursday rejected charges of financial irregularity, saying “a lot of intrigue and mischief” has been going on against him and hoped that the probe would present the “true picture”.
In a statement, Lalli charged that “a lot of intrigue and mischief has been going on within the organisation which has unfortunately been abetted and encouraged by powerful elements from outside aimed at not only the demonishing of an individual, but also the derailment of a premier democratic institution”.
“I hope that the enquiry by the Hon’ble Supreme Court gets finalised quickly so that the true picture is known to the public at large,” he said, adding that judicial scrutiny will also show that fallacious interpretation of relevant provisions of law and rules was made to arrive at certain “conclusions”.
Lalli underlined that while on the one hand he was sad that he has to face this situation after nearly 40 years of “unblemished” service in the Indian Administrative Service, on the other he derived comfort from the fact that he would finally be heard.
“At long last, due focus would be given to facts rather than conjectures, half-truths and plain lies,” he said.
Lalli’s comments came after Patil gave her assent for a Supreme Court enquiry into charges of financial mismanagement against him, official sources said Thursday.
Sources said Patil’s assent came on a reference made by the government. It would set in motion the process for removal of Lalli, who can be placed under suspension pending an inquiry.
Lalli, a 1971 batch Indian Administrative Service officer, was indicted by the Central Vigilance Commission for breach of parliamentary privilege, showing favours to broadcast companies, and committing financial mismanagement.
Lalli assumed charge as CEO in December 2006. A Prasar Bharti CEO is appointed by a panel which includes the prime minister, the Rajya Sabha chairman and the leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha.
Prasar Bharti is the country’s public broadcaster and controls All India Radio and Doordarshan.