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76 media companies owe Prasar Bharati money, LS told
NEW DELHI: Sagar Enterprises, Prannoy Roy’s NDTV, Nimbus Communications, along with the likes of Creative Eye, Multichannel, Sanjay Khan’s Numero Uno and Balaji Telefilms figure in a list of companies that owe money to India’s public broadcaster Prasar Bharati, according to the government.
Out of the 76 listed cases, the details of which were given to the Lower House of Parliament or Lok Sabha today, many cases like that of NDTV and Nimbus are legal matters pending in the court for recovery of dues or where the arbitration clause has been invoked.
Information and broadcasting minister Ravi Shankar Prasad informed the Lok Sabha that Nimbus owes Doordarshan Rs 4,245,750 since June-July 2002, while the outstanding against NDTV has been listed as Rs 30,963,030 since 31 March 1999. Nimbus has challenged the arbitrator’s ruling in the Mumbai High Court, claiming the ruling favoured Prasar Bharati.
Balaji Telefilms owes DD Rs 4.8 million since 28 February 2001. The case is under reconciliation and the “dues are to be cleared shortly.” Shiv Sena Member of Parliament Pritish Nandy’s Pritish Nandy Communications owes DD Rs 15.4 million since 1998-99. In this case the arbitration clause has been invoked.
Sagar Enterprises, according to details given to Lok Sabha, owes Prasar Bharati Rs 49 million since 31 December 2000. The case is under “reconciliation”. Even ad agency HTA owes Prasar Bharati Rs 1.6 million since 2000-01, but the case has been dubbed as “disputed.”
Meanwhile, Lok Sabha was informed that Doordarshan earned commercial revenues of Rs 6375.1 million for 2000-2001, Rs 6152.1 million for 2001-2002 and Rs 5538.1 million for 2002-2003.
It was stated by Prasad in a written reply to Sunder Lal Tiwari and Satyavrat Chaturvedi in the Lok Sabha that Doordarshan does not earn any profit since its expenditure is at least three times more than its revenue.
In reply to another question, Prasad said that according to the National Readership Survey-2002, the viewership for DD-I and DD-II in all TV homes is much higher as compared to other channels. The viewership figures, furnished by the government, are DD-I (50 per cent), DD-II (20 per cent), Star Plus (16 per cent), Sony (14 per cent) and Zee (13 per cent).
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
