Cinema Bill will advance with amendments: Communication Minister Kharel

Kathmandu, Dec 2: In today's meeting of the Legislation Management Committee under the National Assembly, an understanding was reached to advance the Cinema Bill tabled by the government. 

It was agreed following the discussion among the government, parliamentarians and stakeholders held at Singha Durbar on Tuesday to take ahead the bill with amendments, including addition of some provisions related to the cinema sector. 

In the meeting, Minister for Communication and Information Technology Jagadish Kharel said the cinema bill would be taken ahead with amendments.

He made it clear that the government was not intending to withdraw the bill despite provisions for amendments within the bill. 

"The government is not interested to withdraw the bill. The government is clear on taking ahead the bill related process. We should move ahead with massive reforms based on the recommendations of the government, committee and cine sector stakeholders", Minister Kharel added.

He indicated amendments could be made in course of the clause-wise discussion on the bill. 

Other stakeholders, including film workers and producers' association were appeared in favour of bill amendment after listening to the government's opinion. 

Also speaking on the occasion, Chairperson of Film Development Board, Dinesh DC, Chairperson of Film Artists' Association Mohgan Niraula, General Secretary of Producers' Association Khagendra Lamichhane, and Chairperson of Film Journalists' Association Samir Balami highlighted the need of amendments to the cinema bill in a way to reflect the dimensions of the sector. 

In the meeting, Committee President Tulasa Kumari Dahal expressed the committee's readiness to move ahead for clause-wise discussion on the bill with stakeholders, experts and lawmakers in different phases. 

The Upper House Committee has elicited inputs and deliberations in writing from the stakeholders for amendments.  (RSS)