Government sets up panel to revamp Censor Board

The government has constituted a committee headed by noted film-makerShyam Benegal to look into revamp of Censor Board.

The Committee has been requested to submit its recommendations within two months.

Why Committee?

The move is meant to eliminate any kind of arbitrariness and discretion in the censorship process.

The CBFC(Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has found itself at the centre of several controversies over censorship and cuts made to films ever since Pahlaj Nihalani took over as its chairperson.

It was criticised for making several “cuts” in the film Spectre, “blurring some visuals” in the movie Angry Indian Goddesses, and removing curses and certain expressions from other films.

That many CBFC members opposed Nihalani’s decisions openly did not help matters

Expectations from the committee:

• The recommendations of this committee are expected to provide a holistic framework and enable those tasked with the work of certification of films to discharge their responsibilities keeping in view this framework.

• The committee would be expected to take note of the best practices in various parts of the world, especially where the film industry is given sufficient and adequate space for creative and aesthetic expression.

• The Committee would recommend broad guidelines under the provisions of the Cinematograph Act for the benefit of the chairperson and other members of the Screening Committee. 

• The committee will also look into the “staffing pattern of CBFC” in an effort to recommend a framework which would provide efficient, transparent and user-friendly services .

Who is shyam benegal?

Shyam Benegal  is an Indian director and screenwriter. 

He was awarded the Padma Shri in 1976 and the Padma Bhushan in 1991.

 On 8 August 2007, Benegal was awarded the highest award in Indian cinema for lifetime achievement, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for the year 2005.

He has won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi seven times.

Benegal also lead  Samvidhaan, a 10-part mini-series revolving around the making of Indian Constitution aired on Rajya Sabha TV .

Who are the other members of the committee ?

The other Members of the Committee include Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, Piyush Pandey, Bhawana Somaaya , Nina Lath Gupta and Joint Secretary (Films) as Member Convenor.

What is Central Board of Film Certification ?

The Central Board of Film Certification (often referred to as the Censor Board) is a statutory censorship and classification body under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India.

It is tasked with “regulating the public exhibition of films under the provisions of the Cinematograph Act 1952”.

It assigns certifications to films, television shows, television ads, and publications for exhibition, sale or hire in India. Films can be publicly exhibited in India only after they are certified by the Board.

The Board consist of 25 other non-official members and a Chairperson (all of whom are appointed by Central Government).

What is a statutory body?

It is a non-constitutional body. This body is created by statute i.e. act of parliament.
A cabinet resolution can be passed to establish this body. It has to rely upon its statute to derive power.
Ex: Planning commission, National commission for OBCs, SEBI etc.