DD, AIR go blank

Audiences across the country were caught unawares when national and regional stations of Doordarshan and All India Radio (AIR) went on a blink or ran old recorded programming on Tuesday. In a rare strike action, 38,000 Prasar Bharati employees struck work. And even more surprising was that they are not agitating for work related issues. The employees, who are on a 48-hr strike, are protesting against CEO B S Lalli’s alleged involvement in CWG broadcast fiddles. The strikers are also demanding repeal of the PB Act. The National Federation of Akashvani and Doordarshan Employees enjoys the support of 21 organisations including camerampersons, engineers and producers among others. With most employees boycotting work, the broadcaster had to depend on contract employees and skeletal staff.