Bengali film actor-cum-MP demands importance to regional films

New Delhi: An actor-turned-politician on Thursday said in the Lok Sabha that more importance should be given to regional films.Raising the issue of regional movies before the House rose for the day, Tapas Pal (Trinamool Congress) said these films depicting problems of rural areas were given "step-brotherly treatment".

He noted that programmes on television which depict artificiality are being promoted and demanded more support to regional films. He also demanded industry status to regional film industry. Jagadambika Pal (Cong) said overflow of Banganga barrage on the Indo-Nepal border was causing floods in eastern parts of Uttar Pradesh and demanded that the government take up the issue with the neighbouring country. Bansagopal Chowdhary (CPI-M) demanded Rs 5,000 crore to West Bengal to deal with coal shortage in the state which was leading to dearth of power there. Kaushlendra Kumar (JD-U) demanded a national museum and library, along with an ITDC hotel in Nalanda which was a place of Buddhist and historical importance. Raghuvansh Prasad Singh (RJD) expressed surprise that the government had not yet announced the MSP for paddy. Arjun Ram Meghwal (BJP) said ahead of the Commonwealth Games, the government should ensure enough tourist guides. Shailendra Kumar (SP) said 403 Pakistani nationals had entered India without visa but were not traceable. "Moreover, five lakh Bangladeshis enter India every year but of these 25,000 never go back," he added. Bureau Report