Question : RECOMMENDATIONS OF EXPENDITURE REFORMS COMMISSION

(a) whether the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting examined the recommendations of the Expenditure Reforms Commission;

(b) if so, the details of recommendations which have been accepted and implemented by the Ministry;

(c) the details of recommendations which have not been accepted by the Ministry alongwith the reasons therefor; and

(d) the details of recommendations on which decision has not been taken so far and time by which decision is likely to be taken thereon?

THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND CULTURE (SHRI S. JAIPAL REDDY)

(a), (b), (c) & (d): The Expenditure Reforms Commission has, inter alia, recommended winding up Films Division, Photo Division, Song & Drama Division, Directorate of Field Publicity, Directorate of Publications Division, handing over of Film & Television Institute of India, Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute, Directorate of Film Festivals to Film Industry and the Children’s Film Society, India, to Non-Governmental Organisations; disinvesting National Film Development Corporation and Broadcast Engineering Consultants India Limited and reducing / rationalising the role of other units.

The recommendations were examined in consultation with the heads of the media units of the Ministry and a response was sent to the Ministry of Finance.

The matter regarding implementation of the ERC’s recommendations was placed before the Committee of Secretaries which in its meeting held on 28th April, 2004, inter alia recommended that:

“The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting shall implement the ERC recommendations and Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting shall quickly propose a road map for the implementation of the recommendations. The Field Publicity and Song & Drama Division shall be closed down and the Photo Division, Publications Division and Films Division shall be downsized substantially. The disinvestment of National Films Development Corporation and Broadcast Engineering Consultants of India Limited may be deferred.”

No final decision on any of the recommendations has been taken so far.