GUWAHATI, July 1 - Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Sunday held a meeting with the members of the State�s cinema fraternity at the Brahmaputra State Guest House and discussed various important issues about development of the Assamese film industry. Implementation of the State Film Policy was the focal point in the meeting, among other topics.�
Stating that the State government is committed to bringing 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 aspects were being studied for finalising it.�
Chairman of the Assam State Film (Finance and Development) Corporation Ltd Jatin Bora informed that proposals for opening of 35 cinema halls in the State have been received. He also said that by October this year, five new movie halls would be opened while five old ones would be renovated. Sonowal said 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.
Highlighting the Ease of Doing Business policy adopted by the State government to foster economic development of the State, the Chief Minister stressed the need to adopt the policy and a single window system to encourage investors to come forward to develop the infrastructure and other amenities for growth of the film industry.
The issue of providing a Rs 75-lakh grant to open film halls with seating capacity from 150 to 300 also came up for discussion and the Chief Minister directed the Finance department to examine the viability.�
Commissioner of Commercial Taxes Anurag Goyal suggested the possibility of providing financial assistance to ailing members of the film fraternity under Atal Amrit Abhiyan and the Chief Minister directed the Health department to check the viability of the same.
The Chief Minister also urged the film industry stakeholders to create films that can bring audiences to the halls and even transcend boundaries to the entire South East Asia to capture the film markets there. He highlighted the positive environment brought forward by the Act East Policy for regional trade and business in the SE Asia.�
Media Adviser to the Chief Minister Hrishikesh Goswami, MLA Angoorlata Deka, Chairman of Jyoti Chitraban Film Society Pabitra Margherita, many noted artistes of the film industry, and top government officials of various departments were also present in the meeting.
