Chennai, October 2: Prasar Bharti, India's largest public broadcasting agency, has suspended a Chennai Doordarshan Kendra official citing "disciplinary proceedings". R Vasumathi, Doordarshan Kendra assistant director, has been fired for failing to live telecast Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech at IIT Madras on DD Podhigai on September 30, The News Minute reported. Singapore-India Hackathon 2019 Event At IIT-Madras: PM Narendra Modi Impressed With Camera Detecting Who Is Paying Attention, to Recommend Its Use in Parliament.

The order given to her doesn't mention the reason for suspension. However, India Today sources confirmed that action was taken due to wilful insubordination. She will be placed under suspension as per the Central Civil Services Rules, 1965. The order has been signed by Shashi Shekhar Vempati, CEO of Prasar Bharati.

Copy of Suspension Order:

On September 30, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed three gatherings in Tamil Nadu's Chennai. He addressed a gathering of Bharatiya Janata Party supporters at the Chennai airport, which was telecasted live by DD Podhigai. Later, he felicitated the winners of Singapore-India joint hackathon held at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras.

It is alleged that the IIT Madras event of PM Modi was not telecast live. According to India Today sources, Tamil songs and a drama were telecasted while Prime Minister's speech was going on. The absence of live telecast was reportedly noticed by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

DD Podhigai officials claimed they faced difficulties in telecasting the live event since the crew did not get permission to enter the location. However, TNM sources said that over two dozen camerapersons of DD were present at the venue.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 02, 2019 04:29 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).