I & B officials terrorised by Mahajan

By Sanjay Austa
New Delhi, 30 Sep.Blatant misuse of power, including terrorising Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Ministry officials was
how Union I&B Minister Pramod Mahajan?s son Rahul got a Doordarshan (DD) slot for his countdown show, Truck Dhina Dhin, Prasar Bharati Board Member Rajinder Yadav has alleged.

Lashing out at Mahajan, Yadav told MID-DAY the minister was using his position to establish his son in a lucrative career. ??What is Rahul?s experience in production. Why is he being given priority??? he asked.

Yadav said Mahajan?s ??misuse of power?? becomes obvious from the speed with which Rahul?s programme got a slot. Compared to that, there are more than 25 programmes awaiting approval, some for over a decade.

Yadav said Truck Dhina Dhin is being telecast on Wednesdays after producer Arun Kaul?s Kashmir Files was stopped.

??Seventy-five episodes of Kaul?s programme have already been shown. The serial has won great appreciation. The Home Ministry even wrote a letter saying the programme should continue. Now we hear it is being replaced by Rahul?s serial. Why??? he asked.

Yadav said that though he is a member of the Prasar Bharati Board, he does not have the power to do anything about this. ??Bureaucrats have the real power. But they?ve been terrorised with threats of transfers and such. They cannot do anything but the minister?s bidding,?? Yadav alleged.

Rahul has already denied allegations that his father?s position had anything to do with his serial being okayed by DD.