NEW DELHI: Even as the Government has admitted that there are vacancies in Prasar Bharati, there is no proposal under consideration for regularization of casuals/ contractual employees empanelled or engaged in various Kendras/ Stations of Doordarshan or All India Radio.

Sources in the pubcaster told that the empanelment of casual assignees is on need basis and according to the terms and conditions of engagement/ empanelment of contractuals/ casuals.

However, the sources said the process of recruitment of 2365 essential posts in various Technical and Non-technical categories has been completed after clearance by the Group of Ministers. This had been undertaken through Staff Selection Commission as a special dispensation with the approval of the Government.

Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore had told Parliament recently that there is a need to reassess actual requirement of staff in Prasar Bharati keeping in view changes in broadcast technologies.

He said Prasar Bharati had been advised to carry out a Manpower Audit to identify posts actually needed to be filled up.

There are 46756 sanctioned posts in Group A, B and C (including erstwhile Group-D).

This includes 26129 in AIR and 20627 in Doordarshan.

The sources said there are 8258 casual Announcers, 2622 casual compere and 97 contractual employees in various stations of AIR. In addition, there are 18 casual employees and 488 contractual employees in various Doordarshan Kendras.