PRD obtains initial approval to set up unit to run TITV

PRADIT RUANGDIT

The Office of the Public Sector Development Commission (OPDC) has agreed in principle that the Public Relations Department (PRD) will set up a service delivery unit to act on its behalf in overseeing the transitional operation of TITV, Prime Minister's Office Minister Dhipavadee Meksawan said yesterday. Khunying Dhipavadee, a member of the OPDC, said the Public Relations Department (PRD) is responsible for assigning the task to the special unit.

However, the OPDC will finalise the proposed establishment of the service delivery unit (SDU) on Monday before forwarding the matter to the cabinet for approval, she said.

OPDC secretary-general Thosaporn Sirisumphand said the SDU, which is a state agency under the PRD, will work on a temporary basis to make sure TITV continues to broadcast uninterrupted, in compliance with the Central Administrative Court's order.

However, the SDU will have a free hand in running its operations, without being restricted by civil service regulations, he said.

He added that the SDU will be allowed to use its facilities and resources to serve the needs of other government agencies and the public. The SDU will keep earnings from their operations to support itself. The money will not go to the Finance Ministry, he said.

When the new panel is established, it will draw up a set of regulations governing its general management, as well as management of materials, personnel and financial affairs.

TITV's new board of directors and its management team, which have yet to be set up, will then recruit staff and set the salary rates in line with the new regulations.

TITV staff will not have the status of a civil servant. They will be treated as employees of the SDU, Mr Thosaporn said, adding that the SDU, as a state agency, will be a non-profit agency.

Bangkok Post
Thursday March 15, 2007