New Leadership at Prasar Bharati
Context: The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has appointed noted lyricist, writer and communication expert Prasoon Joshi as the Chairman of Prasar Bharati, India’s public service broadcaster.
About Prasar Bharati
-
- Prasar Bharati is the nation’s public service broadcasting organisation.
- It was set up in 1997 as an autonomous statutory body under the Prasar Bharati Act.
-
- Its main purpose is to deliver broadcasting services that educate, inform, and entertain the public.
- The organisation includes both Doordarshan and All India Radio, which were previously operated by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
- The headquarters of Prasar Bharati is located in New Delhi.
Current Facts
- All India Institute of Medical Sciences Delhi has launched the country’s first portable MRI system that can be used at the patient’s bedside
- Model Code of Conduct
- The Model Code of Conduct (MCC) is a framework of guidelines issued by the Election Commission of India to govern the conduct of political parties and candidates during elections.
- To ensure that the processes of campaigning, voting, and counting are conducted in a fair, smooth, and transparent manner.
- To prevent the misuse of government resources and public funds by the ruling party for electoral advantage.
- To curb electoral malpractices, offences, and corrupt activities, ensuring that elections are held with integrity.
- The Model Code of Conduct (MCC), which guides political parties and candidates during elections, was first drafted by the Kerala government in 1960.
- The Election Commission (EC) formalised it in 1968, revised it in 1974, and added Part VII on the “party in power” in 1979.
- Former Chief Election Commissioner T.N. Seshan enforced it with unprecedented rigour from 1991.
- Procedures for Forming a Government in Tamil Nadu
- In Tamil Nadu, which comprises 234 constituencies, a minimum of 118 seats is required to form a government.
- A situation in which no single party secures 118 seats is referred to as a ‘Hung Assembly.’
- In such a scenario, pursuant to Articles 163 and 164(B) of the Constitution of India, the Governor may invite a party to form the government in any of the following four ways:
- A pre-poll alliance that has secured a victory.
- The single largest party that has won the highest number of seats in the election.
- A post-poll alliance formed by parties joining together after the election.
- A party forming the government with the external support of other parties.
- Government Formation Procedures
- The legislative leader of the elected party shall be appointed as the Chief Minister.
- In accordance with the Supreme Court’s 1994 verdict in the S.R. Bommai case, the Chief Minister must convene the Legislative Assembly under Article 174 of the Constitution and demonstrate the support of 118 members.
- If a majority is proven, the government shall continue without interruption.
- If the Chief Minister fails to prove a majority, the Governor shall offer the opportunity to the next-largest party.
- If the second party also fails to prove a majority, President’s Rule shall be imposed under Article 356, and fresh elections shall be held.
