The Press Council of India decided to serve a bailable arrest warrant against Union Information and Broadcasting Secretary Sunil Arora over his non-appearance before it on Monday. (File photo)
New Delhi:
The Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry today said the Press Council of India (PCI) has "limited powers" and cannot decide everything unlike the judiciary, which is an independent institution recognised by the Constitution.
Sources in the Ministry enunciated government's position on the powers of PCI after the press body, in an unprecedented move on Monday, decided to serve a bailable arrest warrant against Union Information and Broadcasting Secretary Sunil Arora over his non-appearance before it on Monday despite summons being issued to him.
The PCI through a resolution passed at its meeting held on March 17 had decided to summon Mr Arora on April 11 to explain the government's position on powers to the council, proposals to make it self-sufficient and facilities for its members like enhancement of sitting fee to Rs 4,000 from the current Rs 1,000 to enable them to fulfil their mandate effectively.
The financial and legislative proposals of the PCI are examined in the ministry and the legislature respectively, the sources said.
They added that under the Press Council Act, the Council has been given powers to summon attendance of persons and examine them on oath, only for two purposes -- for carrying out its functions and for holding an inquiry.
Sources in the Ministry enunciated government's position on the powers of PCI after the press body, in an unprecedented move on Monday, decided to serve a bailable arrest warrant against Union Information and Broadcasting Secretary Sunil Arora over his non-appearance before it on Monday despite summons being issued to him.
The PCI through a resolution passed at its meeting held on March 17 had decided to summon Mr Arora on April 11 to explain the government's position on powers to the council, proposals to make it self-sufficient and facilities for its members like enhancement of sitting fee to Rs 4,000 from the current Rs 1,000 to enable them to fulfil their mandate effectively.
The financial and legislative proposals of the PCI are examined in the ministry and the legislature respectively, the sources said.
They added that under the Press Council Act, the Council has been given powers to summon attendance of persons and examine them on oath, only for two purposes -- for carrying out its functions and for holding an inquiry.
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