Govt to bring all its film media units under NFDC

The merger, to be achieved through an expansion of the Articles of Association of NFDC, will involve rationalisation of infrastructure, manpower and other resources, but will not result in any retrenchment of employees, according to a cabinet elease.

The merger of film media units under one corporation will lead to convergence of activities and resources and better coordination, thereby ensuring synergy and efficiency in achieving the mandate of each media unit. NFDC will carry out all the activities hitherto performed by them.

Films Division, a subordinate office of the ministry of information and broadcasting, was established in 1948, primarily to produce documentaries and news magazines for publicity of government programmes and cinematic record of Indian history.

Children's Film Society, India, an autonomous organisation, was founded in 1955 under the Societies Act with the specific objective of providing children and young people value-based entertainment through the medium of films.

National Film Archives of India, also a subordinate office of the I&B ministry, was established as a media unit in 1964 with the primary objective of acquiring and preserving Indian cinematic heritage.

Directorate of Film Festivals, with its office attached to the I&B ministry, was set up in 1973 to promote Indian films and cultural exchange.

NFDC is a central public sector undertaking, incorporated in the year 1975 with the primary object of planning and promoting an organised, efficient and integrated development of the Indian film industry.

The union cabinet which approved the merger of these media units in its meeting, also approved the appointment of a transaction advisor and legal advisor to advise on the transfer of assets and employees and to oversee all aspects of operationalisation of the merger.

The cabinet release said this exercise while bringing in convergence of activities, will not in any way hurt the interests of employees of all the concerned media units, which will be fully taken care of. No employee will be retrenched, the release added.

NFDC will become the umbrella organisation and the film media units will be uniquely placed with regard to promotion, production and preservation of filmic content - all under one management. The vision of the new entity will be to ensure balanced and focused development of Indian cinema in all its genres-feature films, including films /content for the OTT platforms, children's content, animation, short films and documentaries.

The merger of film media units under a single corporation will lead to synergy amongst the various activities with better and efficient utilisation of misting infrastructure and manpower. This will lead to reduction in duplication of activities and direct savings to the exchequer.

With more than 3,000 films produced in a year, India is the largest film producer in the world with an industry led by the private sector.