In a major initiative to discuss the modalities of implementing the ‘Single Window Clearance’ mechanism for shooting films in India, the Ministry is organizing the first National Workshop tomorrow. The workshop to be attended by key stakeholders involved in the process will be inaugurated by Secretary, Information & Broadcasting, Shri Bimal Julka at Vigyan Bhawan Annexe tomorrow.
The National Workshop is expected to discuss a whole range of issues related to the single window clearance mechanism. These include the steps required to take the process forward including the implementation of “Standard Operating Procedures” for obtaining permission for film shooting in India by both foreign and Indian film producers. It is expected that the workshop would be able to identify key deliverables so as to enable the promotion of India as “Filming Destination”. The workshop will also review the experiences of the past and the obstacles that many a times led to delays in providing timely clearances/ permissions. The workshop is expected to be attended by stakeholders including senior officers from key departments involved at the central level, state government representatives, film producers/ line producers and bodies such as FICCI.
The workshop is being convened in the backdrop of the constitution of the ‘Inter- Ministerial Committee on Promotion and Facilitation of Film Production in India’. The Committee which was notified in April 2013 under the Chairmanship of Secretary (I&B), includes senior officials from key ministries such as Home Affairs, Tourism, External Affairs, Culture, Railways, Civil Aviation, Defence, etc.