Assam Govt. Extends All Possible Help To ‘Cinema’

Implementation of State Film Policy was the focal point in the meeting among other topics.

Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Sunday chaired a meeting with the members of state's cinema fraternity at Brahmaputra State Guest House and discussed various important issues about the development of Assamese film industry.

Chairman of Assam State Film (Finance and Development) Corporation Ltd. Jatin Bora informed that proposals for 35 cinema halls were received to be opened in the state. He also said that by October this year five new movie halls would be opened while five old halls would be renovated. The chief minister said that a seven-member committee would also be formed with various stakeholders to examine the feasibility of cinema hall locations and selecting beneficiaries for receiving government financial assistance for opening halls.

Saying that the state government is committed to bring the Film Policy to fruition at the earliest, the chief minister said that all stakeholders were being consulted while formulating the Policy and once implemented the Policy would help in creating infrastructure and facilitate growth of cinema in the state. The chief minister was apprised by the Director of Cultural Affairs Barnali Sarma that the proposed policy is at the finance department and all nuances were being studied for finalising the Policy.

Highlighting Ease of Doing Business policy adopted by the state government to facilitate economic development of the state, the chief minister stressed on the need to adopt the policy and single window system to encourage investors to come forward to develop the infrastructure and other amenities for growth of film industry.

The issue of providing Rs 75 lakh grant to open film halls with seating capacity from 150-300 also came up for discussion and the chief minister directed the Finance Department to examine the viability.

Sonowal also urged the film industry stakeholders to create films which can bring audiences to the halls and even transcend boundaries to entire South East Asia to capture those film markets there. He highlighted the positive environment brought forward by Act East Policy for regional trade and business in SouthEast Asia.

Commissioner of Commercial Taxes Anurag Goyal suggested the possibility of providing financial assistance to ailing members of film fraternity medical insurance under Atal Amrit Abhiyan and the chief minister directed the Health Department to check the viability of the same.

Media Adviser to the Chief Minister Hrishikesh Goswami, MLA Angoorlata Deka, Chairman of Jyoti Chitraban Film Society Pabitra Margehrita, many noted artists of film industry, top government officials of various departments were also present in the meeting.