Cess and entertainment tax charged from the film industry should be spent for the welfare of cine workers, a government-appointed expert committee has recommended.
In its report, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry- appointed committee tasked with reviewing the functioning of the Censor Board, made the recommendation after taking note of grievances that cess and entertainment tax collected from film makers was often spent on labour not associated with film industry.
"The committee accepted the suggestion and felt that it is logical that such cess be applied towards the benefit of cine workers. The Committee in its report has urged the government to consider this issue either by suitable legislation or through other ways," a source said.
The panel, headed by former Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High court Justice (retd) Mukul Mudgal, had been constituted to review issues related to the Cinematograph Act.
The committee also considered issues related to clearance given to scenes with animals for which the approval of the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) is required.
Since AWBI has only one office in Chennai, the committee was of the opinion that it is not adequate that the board bears the pressure of the huge number of films that are produced in the country and require its certification.
"The committee has recommended that there should be AWBI centres in atleast 4 major cities - Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai. The panel has said that in any event in view of the large number of films produced in Mumbai, there should definitely be a AWBI centre in the city," the source added.
The committee has also recommended that there should be an annual meeting between the officials of AWBI, Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and film-makers so that the system can be made smoother, the source said.
