A panel headed by the vice-president Hamid Ansari is understood to have recommended the name of senior IAS officer Jawhar Sircar for appointment as the next CEO of national broadcaster Prasar Bharati.

The move comes over an year after the removal of its controversial CEO B.S. Lalli, who had been indicted for alleged financial irregularities in awarding CWG broadcast deal by the PM-appointed Shunglu Committee.
Mr Sircar, a 1975-batch officer who is posted as the secretary in the ministry of culture, was picked up from among 12 candidates by the panel. The panel also included Press Council chairperson Markandey Katju and secretary, information and broadcasting ministry, Uday Kumar Varma.
Official sources said that the panel’s recommendation was mandatory for the government and Mr Sircar is expected to take charge of Prasar Bharati in a couple of days. After the removal of Mr Lalli the duties of CEO Prasar Bharati were being discharged by additional secretary, I&B, Rajiv Takru.
It is believed that the panel had also discussed appointing a non-bureaucrat to the position.
However, Sircar’s long record is understood to have gone in his favour.
Mr Sircar also had a stint as secretary, I&B ministry.