Taking a tough stand after Prasar Bharti notice to Prasanna Kumar Suryadevara, Delhi Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel on Friday said he would write to lok Sabha Speaker and Rajya Sabha’s Deputy Speaker and Information and Broadcasting Ministry on the issue of Suryadevara and would seek permission to retain and absorb him in the Delhi Government.
It would be pertinent to mention that this was the first time that the House debated on the transfer order of its secretary since its inception in 1993.
Allowing discussion on the transfer order of Suryadevara, Goel announced in the House of Delhi Assembly’s one day special session, that Suryadevara is continuing to discharge his duties as Secretary in this Assembly purely under his directions and any attempt to frustrate his directions will not be tolerated.
“The transfer order issued to him by Prasar Bharti would be taken up with Speakers of other State assemblies,” said Goel, adding that this House gave him the solemn responsibility of upholding the dignity and constitutionally guaranteed independence of this House which reflects sovereign will of the People. “And he cannot fail this House and the People who elected this House,” he said.
Earlier, hardening its stand on the extended deputation of its officer Suryadevara as Delhi Assembly Secretary, Prasar Bharati had directed him to join his parent organisation immediately failing which he will be treated to be on “unauthorised absence”.
Prasar Bharati then in an office memorandum issued on September 2 said, “You (Suryadevara) have been relieved from Govt of NCTD Delhi and repatriated with directions to report to DG, Air. However, you have not reported for duty to DG, AIR till date. You are hereby directed to report for duty immediately failing which you will be treated on unauthorised absence.”
The public broadcaster has also issued a show-cause notice to Suryadevara over a newspaper article written by him in June — ‘Neither Office, Nor Profit’ — finding it “critical” of the Centre, which is in “violation of the Conduct Rules”.
Prasar Bharati has directed Suryadevara to reply on the matter within seven days.
“It has also come to notice of DG, AIR that you have published an article titled ‘Neither Office, Nor Profit’ on June 21, 2016 wherein you have criticised certain action of the Central Government,” Prasar Bharati said.
“This act is in violation of Rule 9 of CCS Conduct Rules. You are hereby directed to explain within seven days of issue of this letter why disciplinary action should not be initiated against you,” it added.
Suryadevara, originally an officer of Newsreader-cum- Translator (Telugu) cadre, was appointed to the post of Delhi Assembly Secretary last July for a year.
Speaker Goel had requested Prasar Bharati to extend his stay as Assembly Secretary. However, Prasar Bharati expressed inability to extend the deputation and asked the Delhi Government to repatriate him, saying it was in dire need of experienced professionals.
last week lt Governor Najeeb Jung issued order to repatriate Suryadevara. But the Speaker refused to relieve him. Goel had said the l-G cannot repatriate the Assembly Secretary without his concurrence since he (Suryadevara) is holding constitutional post.