Empowered Committee on Cinematograph Act Submitted Report to Ministry of I & B

The Empowered Committee headed by Mukul Mudgal, retired Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court submitted its report on 9 October 2013 to Information and Broadcasting Minister, Government of India.  The committee was appointed to examine issues of certification under the Cinematograph Act, 1952 and give recommendations.

The committee was constituted by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on 4 February 2013.

The Committee revisited major areas of concern and made key recommendations on issues such as
• Advisory panels
• Guidelines for certification and issues such as portrayal of women, obscenity, and communal disharmony
• Classification of films
• Treatment of piracy
• Jurisdiction of the appellate tribunal
• The committee also proposed a draft Cinematograph Bill, incorporating its recommendations.

The Committee framed these recommendations by holding discussions with various stake holders, eminent persons and members and officials of Central Board of Film Certification, officials of the Animal Welfare Board of India, Chairperson of BCCCI, representatives of the Film Federation of India, the Films and Television Producers Guild of India and the Multiplex Association of India.