(a) Whether the film industry has tremendous potential to earn foreign exchange;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the amount of foreign exchange earned by this sector during each of the last three years;
(c) whether the Government of Chhattisgarh has requested to develop a film city in the Naya Raipur district;
(d) if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Union Government thereon; and
(e) the steps being taken by the Government to promote film industry?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING [COL RAJYAVARDHAN RATHORE (Retd.)]
(a) & (b The Indian film industry is in the private sector, with leading centres at Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Benguluru, Hyderabad and other places. The role of the Government is limited to that of a facilitator and catalyst.
The Government recognizes the tremendous potential of film industry to earn foreign exchange. However, the data about the foreign exchange earned by film industry is not available.
(c) No, Madam
(d) Does not arise
(e) With a view to promote the Indian Film Industry, Government of India Ministry of Information and Broa- dcasting implements Plan schemes aimed at production of films in various Indian languages, showcasing them at various festivals in India and abroad including selecting of films in Indian Panorama which repre- sents the best of contemporary Indian Cinema. National Film Awards are also given in order to encourage the talent in the Indian Film Industry.