NEW DELHI: Prasar Bharati has been advised to carry out a Manpower Audit to identify posts that actually need to be filled up, Parliament has been informed.

Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Col. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore said in reply to a question that though there are vacancies in All India Radio (AIR) and Doordarshan Kendras, there is a need to reassess actual requirement of staff in Prasar Bharati keeping in view changes in broadcast technologies.

Earlier this year, a report had shown that although it had stressed the need for a manpower audit in view of technological upgradation, statistics showed that only 30093 of the 46756 sanctioned posts have been filled in the cash-strapped Prasar Bharati.

Of the total, the filled posts in AIR are 15538 out of the sanctioned 26129, while 14555 posts have been filled out of the 20627 sanctioned posts in Doordarshan.

In Group A, AIR has filled just 719 of the 2002 posts and DD has filled just 517 of the 1083 sanctioned strength.

After rigorous exercise, the Government had identified 3452 posts as essential category posts for filling up in Prasar Bharati. Out of these, 3067 posts were identified by Government as essential category of posts in Prasar Bharati that need to be filled up through direct recruitment have been revived.

A Special onetime dispensation was obtained to recruit these through Staff Selection Commission.

Prasar Bharati sources say Staff Selection Commission has already recommended 2367 candidates for appointment. Prasar Bharati is in the process of issue of appointment orders.

In addition, 38 middle/senior level Programme posts have been revived for filling up on deputation basis.