(a) whether the Government are aware of the distress and humiliating living
conditions of the family of Dadasaheb Phalke;
(b) if so, whether the Government have made any effort to know about the
predicaments of the family;
(c) if so, the details thereof; and
(d) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to rescue the family
from its sufferings?
THE MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING (SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)
(a) to (d): Shri Dada Saheb Phalke is considered the pioneer of Indian Cinema.
The Dada Saheb Phalke Award has been instituted to commemorate his
pioneering work in Indian Cinema. The circumstances of the family, as reported
in the newspapers recently, have come to the notice of the Government. The
National Film Development Corporation`s (NFDC) assistance scheme is limited
to living artists facing financial problems. NFDC has requested the Film Industry
Associations/Trade Bodies in the Film Industry to extend all possible help to the
family.