The Kashmir Pulse

NEW DELHI — Pursuant to the Cinematograph (Amendment) Act, 2023, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India has notified the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024, in supersession of the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 1983. They have been comprehensively overhauled in order to improve and contemporize the entire process of certification of films for public exhibition.

Background

The Indian film industry is one of the biggest and most globalised industries in the world producing more than 3,000 films annually in more than 40 languages.

Prime Minister has envisioned that India truly possesses immense potential to become the content hub of the world with rich heritage and cultural diversity being India’s strengths.

Minister for Information and Broadcasting, carrying forward the vision PM, also recognised the Indian Cinema being a significant contributor to India's soft power, promoting Indian culture, society, and values globally.

The empowerment of the Indian film industry with transparency, ease of doing business and protection from the menace of privacy, would go a long way in the growth of the content creation ecosystem in India, and would also help safeguard the interests of all artists and artisans working in the film sector.

With this vision, the historic amendment of the Cinematograph Act was brought in after 40 years in 2023 and is now being fully empowered with the overhauled Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024.

Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024

These new rules aim to streamline and modernize the film certification process for the digital age, keeping pace with emerging technologies and advancement in the film sector.

Ministry & CBFC have undertaken extensive consultations with filmmakers, cinema owners, disability rights organizations, NGOs, film industry bodies, the general public and other stakeholders, ensuring an all-embracing, all-encompassing and all-inclusive approach.

The key aspects of improvements incorporated in the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024 include:

1. Comprehensive revision of the Rules has been done to fully align it with the adoption of online certification processes, which will ensure enhanced transparency, efficiency & ease of doing business for the film industry.

2. Reduction in timelines for the processing of film certification and adopting complete digital processes for eliminating all transactional time.

3. Movies/feature films to have accessibility features for certification to make it inclusive for disabled persons, as stipulated in the guidelines issued in this regard from time to time.

4. Introduction of age-based categories of certification by further sub-dividing the existing UA category into three age-based categories, viz. seven years (UA 7+), thirteen years (UA 13+), and sixteen years (UA 16+), instead of 12 years. These age-based markers would be only recommendatory, meant for the parents or guardians to consider whether their children should view such a film.

The age-based certification system with UA markers is to be implemented to ensure young viewers are exposed to age-appropriate content. It will play a crucial role in balancing the need to protect vulnerable audiences, such as children, with the principles of freedom of expression and consumer choice.

5. Greater representation of women in the CBFC Board & CBFC’s Advisory Panels, where it is stipulated that one-third of the members in the Board shall be women and preferably half shall be women.

6. System for priority screening of films for enhancing transparency and eliminating all discretions. Provision for priority screening for expediting the screening of film screening for certification, in case of any urgency felt by film-maker(s) due to their prior commitments of release of the film in line with ease of doing business.

7. Removal of the restriction on the validity of certificates for only 10 years for perpetual validity of certificates of Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).

8. Recertification of the edited film for television broadcast, as only Unrestricted Public Exhibition category films can be shown on television.

The principle rules were first notified by the Government in 1983 and have been amended from time to time. However, acknowledging the significant advancement in film technology, audience demographics, and content distribution methods for the last 40 years, the new set of rules with overhaul changes are being introduced to better cater to the ever evolving need of our film industry.

The government had last year amended the Cinematograph Act, 1952 after a period of almost 40 years to comprehensively address the issues relating to film certification. Notifying the new Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024 compliments that journey of making the certification process simpler, more contemporary and in line with best global practices.

This post first appeared on The Kashmir Pulse

SRINAGAR — The Kashmir Pulse, a prominent news portal operating from the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, has officially become a member of the Working Journalist Media Council (WJMC). A membership certificate, bearing Reference No. WJMC/7489-141, was issued to The Kashmir Pulse on June 26 by WJMC, confirming its new membership status.

WJMC is a national association of online news portals committed to safeguarding and promoting the freedom of online journalism. With the primary objective of elevating the quality of news content, WJMC works towards enhancing the standards of online journalism in India.

As a self-regulatory body for online news publishers, WJMC is registered by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) under the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021. It ensures adherence to the Code of Ethics and addresses grievances that remain unresolved by the news publisher after a 15-day period. WJMC is also registered under the Society Registration Act 21, 1860.

The Kashmir Pulse, known for its bold journalism, authentic insights, and amplification of unheard voices, shares a common vision with WJMC in promoting responsible and ethical journalism in the digital realm. Operating since its launch in 2014, The Kashmir Pulse aims to provide its readers with credible and authentic news, focusing on uncovering the untold stories of Kashmir.

Notably, The Kashmir Pulse collaborates with Newstex, a prominent content syndication company based in the United States. This partnership enables news stories published on kashmirpulse.com to reach research organizations worldwide, expanding the portal's global outreach.

In recognition of its commitment to journalistic excellence, The Kashmir Pulse is registered with the Government of India's Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises as a web portal under Information Service Activities.

The Kashmir Pulse looks forward to a fruitful partnership with WJMC and continues its mission to provide readers with reliable news, blending technology with professional journalism. The portal remains devoted to building enduring relationships with its readers while uncovering the truth and resonating with every word.

This post first appeared on The Kashmir Pulse

SRINAGAR — This year’s Amarnath pilgrimage will be historic in the history of Jammu and Kashmir as six to eight lakh pilgrims are expected to perform the Darshan of Shiv Lingam at the Cave shrine of Amarnath in Pahalgam area of the southern district of Anantnag, Secretary of Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Apurva Chand said on Monday.

Talking to reporters in Srinagar, Chand, as per news agency Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said that this year Amarnath Yatra will be one of the biggest yatras in history of J&K as around 6-8 lakh pilgrims are expected to arrive on the pilgrimage.

“Today, I met the officials of the administration including Divisional Commissioner and Deputy Commissioners. We were told that this year it will be a historic pilgrimage and for that, all the necessary arrangements have been put in place,” Chand said.

He said that so far the weather challenge was natural and out of the hands of officials. “But as far as security arrangement is concerned, that has already improved a lot as seen by the number of tourists visiting the Valley. Hotels, houseboats and lodges are booked in advance which signifies a good security atmosphere,” Chand said.

He said that LG J&K Manoj Sinha has recently stated that in just a few months, 80 lakh tourists visited UT, which is a record number. “This itself hints that the atmosphere is peaceful,” he said.

He said that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has urged the J&K administration to prepare a short documentary on Amarnath Yatra and also the beautiful places of Kashmir. “We will widely circulate that documentary across the country and outside,” he said.

Registration for Amarnath Yatra 2022 begins

The registration for Annual Shri Amarnath Yatra, in the Himalayan heights, has begun throughout the country and abroad including Jammu with many enthusiastic pilgrims getting their registration done on the very first day.

The Yatra is set to resume after over two years, which was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic across the country.

The pilgrimage to the Himalayan cave shrine will commence on June 30 and conclude on August 11.

As per news agency Kashmir News Observer (KNO), in Jammu, many pilgrims thronged PNB branches where the special arrangement was conducted for the registration.

The Board is expecting an average footfall of more than three lakh pilgrims in the shrine this year.

Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer of Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, Nitishwar Kumar said that the registration will start at 446 branches of Jammu and Kashmir Bank, Punjab National Bank, Yes Bank, and 100 branches of SBI across the country.

He said the pilgrims can also register online through the website and mobile app of the shrine Board.

Nitishwar Kumar said that a Yatri Niwas is being readied in the Ramban district which can accommodate 3600 pilgrims.

The Amarnath Shrine Board is expecting a footfall of more than three lakh pilgrims this year.

He said the Board has decided to start Yatra from both Pahalgam and Baltal routes simultaneously. The shrine Board CEO said only 10,000 pilgrims will be allowed in a day on each route, excluding those travelling by helicopter.

Nitishwar Kumar said the government will introduce a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system for pilgrims to track their movement.

The Amarnath Yatra could not be held in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Even in 2019, the Yatra was suspended a few days before August 5, when the Centre abrogated Article 370 and revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, dividing the state into two union territories.

This post first appeared on The Kashmir Pulse