New Delhi: The Narendra Modi government is expected to go in for the merger of a section of autonomous bodies like Prasar Bharati to cut down on expenses. This could be announced in the coming Union Budget 2017-18.
The government has received a slew of innovative suggestions from nine sectoral groups headed by Central , ranging from merger of several autonomous tribunals and bodies to encouraging manufacturing of energy-efficient white goods like television sets and refrigerators to save electricity. Some suggestions on the agriculture, energy, transport, health and education sectors have been finalised and will be submitted next week to the PMO.
Other suggestions like an all-India medical helpline number that would provide medical advice and connect emergency patients directly to a panel of doctors is likely to be included in the Budget, sources say.
Besides Prasar Bharati, other key autonomous bodies, specially those with similar functions or nature could be targeted like Cotton Corporation of India Ltd, Central Cottage Industries Corporation of India Ltd and Handicrafts and Handlooms Export Corporation, among others.
