Ambit of FCAT be expanded: govt committee

A committee constituted by the I&B Ministry to review the Cinematograph Act has suggested the jurisdiction of Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (FCAT) should be expanded allowing it to deal with the range of complaints that relate to censor board orders.
At present, only film-makers can approach the FCAT to seek a review of the decisions of the Censor Board. Sources said that due to such a procedure, there is a flood of litigations as people for varying reasons rush to seek suspension or ban on a film.
In its report submitted to the I&B Ministry, a committee led by former Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court, Justice (Retired) Mukul Mudgal has suggested the jurisdiction of FCAT be expanded to permit appeals by any person who is dissatisfied by any order of the censor board.

"The committee has recommended giving more powers to the FCAT and also strengthening its infrastructure by increasing the number of benches or members," a senior official said.
Officials said the committee had also examined the issue of state governments often suspending screenings of movies even after they have been cleared by the censor board.
The committee members also noted that in such situations state governments often used section 144 of the CrPC to stop the screenings of such films, an official said.
In its recommendations, the committee is learnt to have suggested that a statutory provisions be included in the Cinematograph Act to provide that ordinarily the exhibition of a certified film should not be suspended.

The committee has suggested if such an action is taken, then there should be a provision of appeal against orders suspending exhibition of films in FCAT, sources said.