On June 2, 2020, the Expert Committees on Rationalisation/Closure/Merger of Film Media Units, and on Review of Autonomous Bodies under the aegis of Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) submitted their report to Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Prakash Javadekar during a meet in New Delhi. Both committees were headed by Bimal Julka for rationalisation and professionalisation of film institutes.
Recommendations:
-The committees had recommended specific roadmaps for the development of National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), Films division, Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute(SRFTI), Children’s Film Society of India(CSFI), Directorate of Film Festivals (DFF), and National Film Archives of India etc.
-The committee has suggested the umbrella organization configuration with 4 broad verticals under which institutes should work viz. Production, Festival, Heritage and Knowledge. This recommendation is due to the overlapping activities undertaken by multiple institutes.
The report recommends creation of Film Promotion Fund to fund independent filmmakers for making commercial films.
About Expert Committee on Review of Autonomous Bodies
It had eminent film personalities like Rahul Rawail, A.k. Bir, Shri Shyama Prasad and T.S. Nagabharana as members along with Special Secretary and Financial Advisor (I&B) and Joint Secretary (Films).
- It reviewed the performance of FTII, SRFTI, and CSFI as per the mandate under their Memorandum of Association (MoA).
About Expert Committee on Rationalisation/Closure/Merger of Film Media Units
It had Rahul Rawail, A.k. Bir, Shyama Prasad, T.S. Nagabharana, Special Secretary and Financial Advisor (I&B), MD, NFDC, CEO, CFSI, Director, NFAI, Director, DFF, DG, Films Division and Joint Secretary (Films) as members.
- To review the functioning of NFDC and CFSI.
About Ministry of Information and Broadcasting:
Union Minister– Prakash Javadekar
Secretary– Amit Khare
