Responsible creativity is the need of hour: Naidu

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi: Union minister for Information & Broadcasting M Venkaiah Naidu on November 7 assured the representatives of the Media and Entertainment (M&E) sector that all their concerns/issues would be resolved by the government in a time bound manner. Considering the growth prospects of the Indian M&E industry for the economy, he assured that the concerns of the industry regarding new tax rates in the GST structure would be conveyed to the Union Finance Minister.  Naidu addressing the CEOs Round Table Meeting organized by FICCI here on Monday.

Naidu said a comprehensive review of the Cinematograph Act, 1952, including Copyright and IPR Protection issues, was under consideration in the light of the reports submitted by Mukul Mudgal and Shyam Benegal. It was imperative to believe in “responsible creativity” wherein the censor rules and regulations could be weaved into social norms which affected the social fabric of the nation.

On the issue of improving Screen Density in India, Naidu said that the reach of cinema was limited to a small segment and thus provided an immense opportunity for the film industry to tap the regional markets and cater to the needs of consumers by developing content in local and regional languages, according to a PIB release. He assured that the issue has been taken up with the Multiplex Association of India to formulate Model Rules for building and operating cinema halls which once received would be shared and discussed with all the state governments at  the State Information Ministers’ Conference scheduled for December, 2016.

On the issue of grant of permissions to TV Channels, Naidu said that the ministry had taken the initiative to streamline the process and procedures in the broadcasting sector. He also mentioned about the E-Auction of the Second Batch of Private FM Radio Phase III Channels commenced a week ago.

Naidu said that the Government of India has taken up the Custom’s Single Window Project for Implementation as part of promoting “Ease of Doing Business”. He also mentioned that the Cabinet has approved the Model Shops and Establishment Act, aimed at generating employment prospects by allowing cinema halls, restaurants, shops, banks and other such workplaces to remain open round the clock.The minister said that the government was planning to set up a National Centre of Excellence for Media, which would provide training to the industry professionals. The ministry was also in the process to setup a Film Promotion Fund to support movies including Bollywood and Regional films, for participation in foreign film festivals.