By TIOL News Service

NEW DELHI, JULY 16, 2016: MR M. Venkaiah Naidu, Minister of Urban Development, Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation and Information & Broadcasting, yesterday chaired the meeting of Consultative Committee of the I&B Ministry and briefed the Members of Parliament about the completion of e-auction of first batch of private FM radio channels Phase-III comprising 135 channels in 69 existing cities of Phase-II. He also mentioned about the Digital Media & New Print Media Advertisement policy that was framed recently to promote transparency and accountability in issuing of advertisements. He also apprised the members about the three member committee constituted by the Ministry to address the issues related to Content Regulation in Government Advertising.

Mr Naidu mentioned that Ministry of I&B has played a critical role in the communication and outreach activities for the Government Flagship schemes & Initiatives such as Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Make in India, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, etc. through 360 degree Multimedia campaigns.

Speaking further, Mr Naidu said that in order to harness the India's soft power in film sector, Ministry has set up a Film Facilitation Office to promote and facilitate film shootings by foreign film makers in India. Ministry has also included “Most Film Friendly State” as a special category award in National Film Awards this year. He said that the Shyam Benegal Committee report for holistic interpretation of the provisions of the Cinematograph Act/ Rules is also under consideration of the Ministry. Ministry is also in the process of setting up of National Centre of Excellence for Animation, Gaming and VFX (NCOE) in Maharashtra. The institute would be a world class institution to provide skilled manpower in this emerging area.

About the new initiatives of the Ministry in the broadcasting sector, the minister said that Private FM Radio has been permitted to broadcast All India Radio News for listeners to get credible information apart from entertainment at no cost. All India Radio has also completed the FMisation of entire Vividh Bharati.

Elaborating further, Mr Naidu said that the Ministry would consider the possibility of publishing Employment News in regional languages also. He also stated that the Publications Division would consider bringing out books regarding the contribution of large number of heroes of our struggle from different regions who have not been given the recognition that they so rightly deserved.

Mr Naidu also referred to the possibility of the Publications Division approaching stakeholders as part of corporate social responsibility to sponsor books for schools and libraries across the country. This would enhance the visibility of the rich collection of Divisions publications and at the same time making these books available to the younger generation in far off and remote villages.

Members of the committee while appreciating the initiatives of the Publications Division mentioned that efforts need to be taken to enhance the visibility of the rich and diverse collection of books. This could be initiated through appropriate promotional and marketing strategies. Efforts needed to be taken to reach out the younger generation and publish books of their interest. Contemporary publication trends also needed to be a part of the vision and way forward strategy.