Neglected regional heroes may find space in I&B ministry books: Venkaiah Naidu

National heroes from different regions who did not get "the recognition they rightly deserved" would soon find space in new books to be published by his ministry, Information and Broadcasting Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu said here on Friday.

Chairing consultative committee meeting of the ministry, he also referred to the possibility of the Publications Division, under his ministry, approaching stakeholders as part of "corporate social responsibility to sponsor books" for schools and libraries across the country.

The minister said this would enhance the visibility of the rich collection of official publications and at the same time make these books available to the younger generation in far off and remote villages, according to an official statement here.

The ministry will consider the possibility of publishing Employment News in regional languages as well, he said at the meeting attended among others by MPs like Madhusudan Mistry, Vivek Gupta, Sanjay Jaiswal and Moon Moon Sen.

Apprising the members of the committee about the initiatives of the ministry in the last one year, he said the focus has been to streamline processes and promote transparency and accountability in its functioning.

The ministry has "successfully and transparently" completed E-auction of first batch of private FM radio channels Phase-III comprising 135 channels in 69 existing cities of Phase-II.

He also mentioned the Digital Media & New Print Media Advertisement policy framed recently to promote transparency and accountability in issuing of advertisements, and the three member committee set up by the ministry to address the issues related to content regulation in government advertising.

Naidu said that in order to harness India's soft power in film sector, the government has set up a Film Facilitation Office to promote and facilitate film shootings by foreign film makers in the country.

He said that the Shyam Benegal Committee report for holistic interpretation of the provisions of the Cinematograph Act/Rules is also under consideration of the ministry, the release said.

--IANS

nd/vd