The Hindu Business Line : Tax on TV sets

The editorial “An idea sans vision” (Business Line, July 14) was timely and thought-provoking. The idea of levying tax on television sets is totally imprudent and illogical. As rightly stated in the editorial, funding Prasar Bharatis deficit in this manner is against accepted principles of public finance. Prasar Bharati must minimise controllable expenses and increase staff productivity. As rightly pointed out, expenditure reform in Prasar Bharati must be an area of focus.

The Government must take urgent steps to overhaul the management and functioning of this organisation. The strength of staff that makes no contribution to the programmes must be reduced greatly. Similarly, ornamental posts must be abolished forthwith. Indeed, Prasar Bharati need only have one Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, or CMD, as in government-owned corporates. This organisation must function like a corporate and its sole concern must be efficient functioning. Good corporate governance, minimisation of expenses, protection of revenue, increase in productivity of staff at all levels are areas requiring urgent attention.

It is true that the proposed levy ignores the emerging trend of convergence of technology where programme content is increasingly delivered through personal computers or mobile handsets and the Government cannot be blind to this development. Let the Government take urgent steps to revamp the administration in Prasar Bharati and increase its efficiency.

K.K.Ammannaya Udupi

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