(a) the eligibility criteria regarding making of films on various subjects as per the tender issued by the Ministry of External Affairs;
(b) the reasons behind including the condition of making films in a particular foreign country in the eligibility criteria; and
(c) the role of Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity, National Film Development Corporation and other Government organisations in this matter?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS[GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]
(a) Eligibility criteria are framed taking into consideration requirement of making films for use and projection outside India on similar lines like a Bidder/Filmmaker having made a film on similar theme or having won a National Films Award presented by Directorate of Film Festivals, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting or having been selected by Ministry of External Affairs for making a film earlier, besides having necessary personnel, infrastructure and financial resources to complete the film.
(b) No such condition of making a film in a foreign country is part of eligibility criteria.
(c) Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity (DAVP) and National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) are not involved in the process. However, the panel for selection of eligible film maker consists of persons who have experience of reviewing films for foreign audience. They are drawn from Divisions/organisations concerned with the film.