JAMMU: The Administrative Council (AC) which met here today under the chairmanship of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, approved Jammu and Kashmir Film Policy-2024.
Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, Advisor to the Lieutenant Governor; Atal Dulloo, Chief Secretary; Mandeep Kumar Bhandari, Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor attended the meeting.
The Policy aims to position J&K as a hub of cinematic creativity and productivity. The approved policy will supersede the current Film Policy i.e., J&K Film Policy-2021.
The policy provides for time-bound administrative assistance, setting up of Single Window Cell, facilitation for granting of permission for shooting films, a package of financial assistance, promoting Government/Non-Government Organizations associated with the publicity of cinema and striving to create nationally competitive infrastructure for film making.
The policy provides for bodies like the Film Development Council, J&K Film Division, Script Screening Committee, Divisional Location Permission Committee, Film Development Fund, and mechanisms for branding and promotion of activities using film festivals.
To ensure that a chunk of the film shooting for a film seeking subsidy from the UT Government, the criteria of a minimum of 20 days of shooting has been provided. The criteria for claiming subsidy for Films/ TV Serials/ Shows/Web Series etc. has also been notified in the policy.
The maximum subsidy in the regional languages of J&K will be Rs 1.25 crores.
A Film Development Fund shall be created from the fiscal year 2024-25 with the allocation of Rs. 500 crores (payable in the next 05 years with an annual budgetary grant of Rs. 100 crores.) to be sourced from the CAPEX budget for disbursement of subsidies/incentives. The minimum cost of production of the film shall be Rs.10 crores and it must be screened on a minimum of 25 screens across the country. For domiciles of J&K, the minimum cost of production of a film shall be Rs.50 lacs and it must be screened on a minimum of 3 screens. The in-eligible categories for subsidy have also been notified in the policy. The policy will have a positive impact on the economy in terms of generating employment and growth of film tourism. The policy will be valid for 05 years.
