Empowered Committee examining issues of certification under Cinematograph Act submits report to Information and Broadcasting Minister

The Empowered Committee under the Chairmanship of Sh. Mukul Mudgal, Retired Chief Justice, High Court of Punjab and Haryana constituted to examine issues of certification under the Cinematograph Act 1952, presented its report,  along with its findings and recommendations, to the Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Sh. Manish Tewari today. The committee was constituted by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on February 4, 2013.

The Committee revisited major areas of concern and has made key recommendations on issues such as:

(i)                    Advisory Panels.

(ii)                   Guidelines for certification and issues such as portrayal of women, obscenity and communal disharmony.

(iii)                  Classification of Films.

(iv)                 Treatment of Piracy.

(v)                  Jurisdiction of the Appellate Tribunal.

(vi)                 Review of the provisions of the Cinematograph Act, 1952.

While firming up its recommendations, the committee has also proposed a draft Cinematograph Bill, incorporating its recommendations.

The Committee held several meetings during its 8 month tenure with various stake holders. These meetings were held in Chennai, Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata. Eminent persons connected with the film sector were invited by the Committee to present their views. The Committee also held discussions with members and officials of Central Board of Film Certification, officials of the Animal Welfare Board of India, Chairperson of BCCCI, representatives of the Film Federation of India, the Films and Television Producers Guild of India and the Multiplex Association of India.

The members of the Committee other than its Chairperson are:- 

i)              Sh. Uday Kumar Varma, Former Secretary, Information and Broadcasting Ministry,

ii)             Sh. Lalit Bhasin, Chairperson, FCAT,

iii)            Ms. Sharmila Tagore, former Chairperson, CBFC,

iv)           Sh. Javed Akhtar, renowned music composer, writer and lyricist,

v)            Ms. Leela Samson, Chairperson, CBFC,

vi)           Sh. L. Suresh, Secretary, South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce and former President, Film Federation of India, 

vii)          Ms. Rameeza Hakim, Advocate, Supreme Court of India and, 

viii)         Sh. Raghvendra Singh, Joint Secretary (Films), Information and Broadcasting, Member Convenor.

Courtesy: Press Information Bureau (pib.nic.in)