Cabinet gives nod to merger of 4 Film Media Units with NFDC through rationalization of infrastructure, manpower and other resources

Union Cabinet has approved the merger of four of its film media units, namely Films Division, Directorate of Film Festivals, National Film Archives of India, and Children's Film Society, India with National Film Development Corporation. It was done by expanding the Memorandum of Articles of Association of NFDC, which will then carry out all the activities hitherto performed by them.

Briefing media in New Delhi after the Cabinet Meeting, Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar said, the merger of Film Media Units under one corporation will lead to convergence of activities and resources and better coordination.

The Cabinet also approved the appointment of a Transaction Advisor and Legal Advisor who will advise on the transfer of assets and employees and oversee all aspects of operationalization of the merger. The interests of the employees of all the concerned Media Units will be fully taken care of and no employee will be retrenched.

Films Division, a subordinate office of M/o I&B, was established in 1948, primarily to produce documentaries and news magazines for publicity of Government programmes and cinematic record of Indian history.

Children's Film Society, India, an autonomous organisation, was founded in 1955 under the Societies Act with the specific objective of providing children and young people value-based entertainment through the medium of films.

National Film Archives of India, a subordinate office of M/o I&B, was established as a media unit in 1964 with the primary objective of acquiring and preserving Indian cinematic heritage.

Directorate of Film Festivals, as an attached office of M/o I&B, was set up in 1973 to promote Indian films and cultural exchange.

NFDC is a Central Public Sector Undertaking, incorporated in the year 1975 with the primary object of planning and promoting an organized, efficient and integrated development of the Indian Film Industry.

Other Decisions that were taken at the Cabinet Meet

Besides, Mr Javadekar said, the Cabinet has approved the revision in guidelines for providing DTH services in India. He said, DTH licence will be issued for 20 years in place of present 10 years. The licence fee will be collected quarterly basis instead of an annual basis. DTH operators will be permitted to operate to a maximum of 5 per cent of its total channel carrying capacity as permitted platform channels. There will be sharing of infrastructure between DTH operators. The Minister said, guidelines have been amended to allow 100 per cent FDI in DTH services.

Mr Javadekar said, the Cabinet has approved an ordinance for extending National Capital Territory of Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) Act for another 3 years, giving protection to unauthorised colonies from the punitive action in Delhi.

The Cabinet also gave its nod for signing the revised Air Services Agreement between India and Philippines. It also gave its approval for signing the revised Air Services Agreement between India and Afghanistan.

The revised Air Services Agreements have the potential to spur greater trade, investment, tourism and cultural exchanges between the two countries bringing it in tune with the developments in the civil aviation sector.