Scheme to digitize films: Javadekar

Government is in the process of implementation of a new scheme "National Film Heritage Mission" to restore, digitize and archive films and filmic materials, the Lok Sabha was told today.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar said in a written reply that the Expenditure Finance Committeee (EFC) has recommended the implementation of the scheme for consideration of Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA).
He said government also proposes to declare the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune, and Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute, Kolkata, to be the institutions of national importance through the proposed "The Natinal Institutes of Film, Television and Allied Studies Bill 2014.

"The Information and Broadcasting ministry is in the process of implementation of a new scheme "National Film Heritage Mission" to restore, digitize and archive films and filmic materials.
"Planning Commission has accorded 'in-principle' approval to the scheme. Finance Ministry's approval has also been obtained and EFC has recommended the implementation of the scheme for CCEA. Administrative approval would be issued once the CCEA approves the proposal," Javadekar said.
Replying to another question, he said "the government also proposes to declare the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune and Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute, Kolkata to be the Institutions of National Importance through the proposed The National Institutes of Film, Television and Allied Studies Bill 2014."

This would enable recognition of the courses being conducted by these two institutes and make them equivalent to recognized courses being offered by other universities and institutions established or incorporated under any other law, he said.
He added this initiative would enable these premier institutions to achieve their objectives in an effective manner, reposition themselves as world class film and television institutes, broad base their training activities and conduct research activities thereby addressing the growing needs of media and entertainment industry, Javadekar said.