Lok Sabha Question No. 4487 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-08-12
Subject: Certification of Films
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: RAJENDRA AGRAWAL, MUTHAMSETTI SRINIVASA RAO (AVNTHI), A. ARUNMOZHITHEVAN, KANWAR SINGH TANWAR, B. SREERAMULU, A.T. (NANA) PATIL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED  QUESTTON  NO. 4487 TO BE ANSWERED  ON 12.8.2016

## CERTIFICATION OF FILMS

4487: SHRI RAJENDRA  AGRAWAL:

sHRI MUTHAMSETTT SRTNTVASA RAO(AVANTHT);

SHRI A ARUNMOZHITHEVAN:

SHRI KANWAR SINGH TANWAR:

SHRI B SRIRAMULU:

SHRI A.T. NANA PATIL

## Will the Minister of INFORMATION  AND BROADCASTING  be pleased

## to state:

- (a) whether the Government has received the report of  Expert Committee headed by Shri Shyam Benegal to revamp the Central Board of Film Certification(CBFC)  to bring transparency  and make it controversy free;
- (b) if so, the details and major recommendations thereof and progress
- made so far thereon by the Government in this regard;
- (c)  whether the Government has taken any steps regarding the modification of  guidelines under the Section 5  B  of  the
- Cinematograph Act, 1952, if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether CBFC has power to make any cut in films, if so, the details thereof including guidelines in this regard; and
- (e) whether the Government has received demand for categorizing  the films with scenes of smoking under adult category, if so, the details thereof and action taken by the Government thereon?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION  AND BROADCASTI NG ICOL  RAJYAVARDHAN RATHORE ( REtd. ) ]

- (a) & (b): The Committee  of Experts constituted  under the Chairmanship  of Shri Shyam Benegal to recommend broad guidelines  /procedures  to set principles  which shall guide the Board with respect to certification  of films submitted  first part of its report in April,2016 and final part in June, 2016. The following are some of the major recommendations in the report:-
- i. Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) not to order excisions, modifications  or amendments. The scope of certification orocess to be limited only to suggest  what category of audiences  [age  groups] can watch a oarticular  film.
- ii. Guidelines to be revised for each category of certification  in order to empower viewers to make informed  viewing choices by specifying the category.
- New categories  of certification  other than 'U', 'A' or'UA' are proposed. t.
- Films violating the provisions  of Section 58(1) of the Cinematograph Act, i.e. film depicting  scenes against the interests of the sovereignty and integrity of India, security of the State, friendly relation with foreign States, public order, decency or morality, defamation or contemot of court etc. to be refused certification. iv.
- CBFC Chairperson  & Board Members to play a role in guiding the Board at apex level than participating  in routine certification process.
- Number of members in the Board should be reduced.
- Role envisaged for  NCW/NCPCR/film professionals  in  making nominations to Examining  Panels. vii.
- ix. Out of turn (Tatkal  Scheme) film certification.
- viii.  The Advisory  Panel for Revising Committees  to be selected from amongst persons of in depth understanding of Indian society, i.e. sociologists, anthropologists  or psychologists or  persons of eminence. To have 20olo representation from film industry  at each region.

- x. Re-examination of the films by the CBFC on complaints  received after certification  in certain cases  for violation  of  provisions  of Section  58 (1) of the Act.
- xi. Film Industry  should produce  small films on anti-tobacco/smoking  with popular  actor on their own for screening in cinemas halls and on W channels. These may replace the present films in the Theatres and TV channels shown after obtaining clearance from the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.

The recommendations  of the Committee require detailed scrutiny by the Govern ment.

- (c): The Government periodically reviews the certification  process of films with a view to meet the present  day challenges. Committee  of Experts has submitted a draft guidelines alongwith  its report.

(d): CBFC certifies films in accordance with the Cinematograph  Act,1952, Cinematograph (Certification)  Rules, 1983 and guidelines framed under Section  5 B of the Act and issues certificates  under categories 'U','UA','A' or 'S'. As per Section 4 of the Cinematograph Act, CBFC after examining  or having the film examined  in the prescribed manner, can direct the applicant to carry out such excisions  or modifications in the film as it thinks necessary before sanctioning the film for public exhibition under any of the above requested categories,

- (e): Government has not received any demand for categorizing films with scenes of smoking under'Adult Category'.