Film-makers face problems mostly at local govt level: Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore

Interview with Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting

Speaking at the valedictory session of the 2015 edition of Ficci-Frames in Mumbai, Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, minister of state for information and broadcasting, addressed various issues plaguing the media and entertainment sector. Sanjay Jog and Urvi Malvania caught up with him on the sidelines of the event. Excerpts:

Phase three and four of digitisation have been delayed. What are you doing to make sure the deadlines for the next phases will be met?

There has only been one delay in the digitisation (of television) process. Phase one is finished and phase two is finished. Now phase three has been extended to 2015 December. That's been the only extension. Phase four will also finish by 2016.

The issue here is set-top-boxes. If you were to buy set-top-boxes from outside, the problem is resolved. But we want to become self-contained (in this aspect). We want to be able to produce them. Already, 30 million set-top-boxes have been purchased. So, you can imagine the quantum of set-top-boxes (needed). If there is a one-year delay in being self-contained, that is hardly any delay.

Have you taken any steps towards local manufacturing of these set-top-boxes?

I believe there are some efforts being made by private players. The government is not into manufacturing, but the private individuals are.

In your valedictory address, you mentioned single-window clearance for films. Are you working on any policy on that aspect?

We realised this is a huge problem the film makers face when they have to seek permission. It’s not the case only with our film-makers, but also the international ones. When they come in (to India), they face a lot of problems and harassment.

Once we have understood the problem, we want to resolve it. Unfortunately or fortunately, our country is divided into certain different levels of governance. There are different governments and each one has its own areas of responsibilities. A lot of problems the film makers face are at the local government level. We can create a single-window at the centre, but we would still not be able to influence the local governments. However, we want to begin a process. First at the Centre and then we want to encourage the states to have a single window of the same nature as ours. Then we want a particular city to follow the same example.

Also, along with the industry, we want to find a solution to incentivise cities and to have single-window clearance. Cities who are getting business, should be visible to other (cities) as advantageous cities and, therefore, others would also like to follow that example.

Are you putting any processes in place to put certain parts of the ministry operations on auto-pilot so that time lags are not encountered when top personnel change?

The ministry works on policies. And we have policies laid down for most of the media units. I think what you are referring to has more to do with the personal qualities of a minister. There can be ministers who are very hands-on and can have high levels of initiative to get things accomplished. Now therein you will see a difference between a minister who is and a minister who is not.

For example, on the third of Arun Jaitley assuming charge, he had a meeting with the top producers of television and then he met top film producers. He has been meeting the broadcasters' associations and others. So it's a hands-on approach and that is why you see a difference. Otherwise, the ministry is run by policies.