Information & Broadcasting Secretary Sunil Arora today said that his ministry was driven by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s philosophy of minimum government maximum governance.
He asserted that information and broadcasting ministry was committeed to promote ease of doing business in media and entertainment sector.
Speaking at an event organised by industry chamber FICCI in Mumbai he said he wanted to reduce the number of visitors to Shashtri Bhavan, location of I&B Ministry in New Delhi.
Sunil Arora said the ministry will move towards less regulation and facilitate India to become the hub of media and entertainment industry.
Sunil Arora said clearance for new TV channels had been expedited over the last six months under a liberalized regime.
He said the Ministry of Home Affairs has agreed to most of the suggestions made by the I&B Ministry about liberalizing several conditions.
I&B secretary said the government and ministry was completely committed to digitization programme, but expressed concern over less than 10% share of Indian made Set Top Boxes.
“We want the industry to look at this opportunity under the Make In India initiative and produce more STBs in India under the Electronics Manufacturing scheme” he said.
File Photo: Sunil Arora with members of News Broadcasters Association.
Mr Sunil Arora stressed that the Ministry intends to play a role of a facilitator for the media and entertainment industry to flourish in the country.
Focusing on ease of doing business, Mr. Arora informed that a Film Facilitation Office has opened in the National Film Development Corporation, NFDC to function as a single window service for film related clearances.
He said an award has been instituted as part of the National Film Awards, to honour the states that are most film friendly. In 2016, Gujarat has been adjudged the most film friendly state, followed by UP and Kerala.
He informed the audience that a decision has been taken to set up the National Centre of Excellence in Animation, Gaming and Visual Effects in Mumbai. Maharashtra Government is providing a 25 acre land near Film City in Goregaon for the institute.
I&B Secretary also said the Government has approved the Rs 598 crore National Film Heritage Mission to preserve and promote India’s rich film and cultural heritage.
He also said a National Museum of Indian Cinema is coming up in Films Division Complex on Pedder Road with several interactive exhibits.
“Prime Minister has taken a keen interest in this museum which is being curated by the National Council of Science Museums, Kolkata” added Sunil Arora.
Participating in the discussion, Mr. Uday Shankar, who is also the Chairman of the FICCI Entertainment Panel expressed concerns over the viability of stand alone news channels.
Uday Shankar also said entry of fringe elements in the news broadcasting field for ‘ancillary facilities’ was affecting credibility.
Noted film maker Mr. Ramesh Sippy expressed concern over low theatre density in India.
FICCI Frames is the annual conclave of media & entertainment industry attracting policy makers, producers, distributors, media and entertainment industry professionals in large numbers.
As per an official release, this year’s theme was “Year of the Digital : Change or Perish”.
