NFDC puts on hold fresh production applications

New Delhi: The National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) has decided not to accept fresh applications for production of films. A message put out on its website says, "NFDC has taken a decision to not accept applications for production of films w.E.F. June 14, 2013 till further notice." NFDC General Manager (Film Production) Vikramjit Roy said the move is to clear the backlog of current submissions. "NFDC has temporarily put on hold submissions of scripts. Our message on the site says `... Till further notice`. This is to clear the backlog of current submissions," Roy told PTI. When asked about the number of pending productions, he did not comment. NFDC is the central agency established to encourage the good cinema movement in the country. The primary goal of the NFDC is to plan, promote and organise an integrated and efficient development of the Indian film industry and foster excellence in cinema. The NFDC and its predecessor -- Film Finance Corporation -- have so far funded and produced over 300 films in various Indian languages. Prior to the notice, put out on June 14, applications could be submitted round the year on NFDC`s website or at its corporate, regional and branch offices. In another development, the Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Ministry has notified that all print or electronic advertisements issued from any government ministry or department can only be routed through the Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity (DAVP). The ministry notification of June 13 said, "It has now been decided by the competent authority in the Ministry of I&B that all advertisements pertaining to central government ministry`s/departments (including semi-government, autonomous bodies, PSUs etc) relating to print and electronic media should be routed only through DAVP and not through any other agency till further orders." In September 2009, the ministry had issued a circular regarding release of government ads by NFDC. It allowed NFDC to take up the work of release of government ads (including semi-government, autonomous bodies, PSUs) in channels empaneled with the DAVP at the rates fixed by DAVP. Asked what would have caused the ministry to take the decision on the advertisements, that too at a time when Lok Sabha elections are not very far, Roy refused to comment. PTI