UP amends film policy to attract producers

Hindi films, which are canned at least 75% in UP, will now be eligible to get 25% of its production cost as grant subject to the ceiling of Rs 1 cr

Uttar Pradesh cabinet on Monday approved amendment in the UP Film Policy 2001 to encourage film production in the state.

Now, Hindi films, which are canned at least 75 per cent in UP, would be eligible to get 25 per cent of its production cost as grant subject to the ceiling of Rs 1 crore. This would also cover films in the local dialects of Awadhi, Braj, Bundeli and Bhojpuri.

Besides, film directors selected for award under the Policy would be eligible for a grant of Rs 1.25 crore, if they produce their successive venture in UP. A committee would be constituted for award of the grant and computation of film production cost.

This decision was taken at the state cabinet meeting here chaired by Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav.

The UP Film Policy has been lying in a virtual state of comatose ever since the erstwhile Mulayam Singh Yadav government was voted out in 2007. Under his regime, a UP Film Development Council (UPFDC) had been instituted to give impetus to filmmaking in the state.

Noted film actor Jaya Bachchan was its chairperson. However in May 2006, she had to resign from the post following a controversy over holding an office of profile while also being a Samajwadi Party member of the Rajya Sabha.

Earlier, she had been disqualified as the member of the Upper House in March 2006 following presidential asset to a Election Commission ruling on a petition in the office of profit case. She was elected to the Rajya Sabha as a SP member again.

Meanwhile, the state cabinet empowered the UP Secondary Education Campaign Council for formalising an agreement with IT giant Intel for the training of principals and teachers.

The Council would not incur any amount for the training, which would be provided for free by Intel. A government inter college would be selected as the training centre under the programme. The government would consider similar offers by other reputed companies.