Par Panel asks govt to replace Cinematograph Act

Observing that the Cinematograph Act has lost much of its relevance due to advancements like digital technology, proliferation of TV channels and increase in piracy, a Parliamentary panel has asked the government to bring a Bill to replace the existing Act at the earliest.
In its report, presented in the Lok Sabha today, the Standing Committee on Information and Technology, headed by BJP MP Anurag Thakur, said the Cinematograph Act, 1952 is almost a six decades old legislation and has since been amended several times.
It added that in view of many technological advancements in the field of cinema, the proliferation of TV channels, cable network, advent of new digital technology, increase in piracy and copyright violations, etc., the Act has lost much of its relevance.

The panel noted that the government is in the process of replacing it with a new legislation and an Expert Committee under the chairmanship of Justice Mukul Mudgal constituted for this purpose has already submitted its report.
The Mudgal Committee submitted its report on September 28, 2013 and many of the recommendations contained in that Report have been taken into consideration by the Government while drafting the new Cinematography Bill, 2014, the panel said.
Recognising the need to replace the existing Cinematography Act, the Committee desire that all the procedural requirements for introduction of the proposed Bill are completed at the earliest so that the Bill is introduced in the Parliament without any further delay, it added.

The Committee also noted that it is proposed to declare the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune, and Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute, Kolkata, as institutions of national importance through an Act of Parliament.
According to the Ministry, action is underway for introducing the Bill, the panel said in its report and called for early action be taken for expeditious introduction of the Bill.