Prasar Bharati should sincerely chalk out appropriate and periodical plans and strategies so that its purpose is well served, the standing committee on communications said in its report on "Doordarshan - Production of Programmes In-house and by Outside Producers".

Expressing anguish over the complaints of corrupt practices in Doordarshan Kendra, it impressed upon the information and broadcasting ministry and Prasar Bharati to streamline the procedure of registering complaints so that alleged malpractices and irregularities by Doordarshan officials are curbed.The committee, headed by Somnath Chatterjee, said it was surprised that only eight complaints of corrupt practices have been registered between August 1995 and July 1998 with the vigilance section ofDoordarshan directorate and added that certain cases regarding complaints have been closed without assigning any reasons.

The committee said in some cases names of officials who have allegedly committed irregularities in passing television serials "Shanti" and "Yug" have not been specified.

In a case of allotment of programmes to one's own kith and kin, action taken has not been indicated, it said adding that some cases were under investigation of the ministry or reports were awaited from Doordarshan Kendras concerned.

However, the committee noted that the Prasar Bharati has been taking steps to curb "corrupt practices" like scrapping the panel of 400 producers, notifying that no paper in the organisation be marked as confidential and interacting with producers and public.

The committee also said it was glad to note that to eliminate acceptance of sub-standard programmes, the Prasar Bharati is trying to ignore pressures and recommendations by protecting officers from outside interference andinstilling confidence in them.

It has also recommended that the Prasar Bharati should bring it to the notice of people that any complaints against Doordarshan officials could be lodged without fear or hesitation and hoped that as assured by the CEO a notification to this effect would soon be issued.

The committee said it was "extremely unhappy'' to note that the Planning Commission's instructions to increase internal generation of revenue has compelled Doordarshan to grant lengthy extensions to some serials.