Govts asks E

Mumbai, Mar 25 (UNI) Asking the Indian entertainment and media (E&M) industry to come out with ''supply side'' management solutions to contain the problem of piracy, causing a loss of estimated 1,500 crore every year, Information and Broadcasting Secretary Asha Swarup today said the Government will soon set up an ''entertainment export promotion council and a national museum of moving images'' in the metropolis.

Addressing the inaugural session of FICCI-FRAMES - annual convention on the business of Indian entertainment and media (E&M) - here, she said, ''Bringing inspector raj as suggested on behalf of the industry to solve the problem will not be compatible with the ongoing liberalisation of our economy.'' Ms Swarup said that the problem of piracy is not confined to India alone and it had be tackled on global basis with multiple measures like digitalisation of film making and screening, simultaneous and bulk release of films on various platforms.

She cited the example of recent hit Hindi film ''Jab We met'' that is said to have recovered one and half times of its cost by selling its television rights alone to multiple players.

Ms Swarup said the Government, though, is expecting to receive draft legislation on optical disk within four months on behalf of the industry from Pricewater Cooperhouse.

With the proposed entertainment export promotion council, the Indian film and other entertainment sector would be able to enhance its global potential, she said, adding, ''As of now Indian films are seen in as many as 120 countries and we would like this to grow further.'' The plans to set up a ''national museum of moving images'' in the metropolis is almost final, she said.

Referring to the problems related to popularity ratings being given to various television programmes, Ms Swarup said the Government would like the industry to come out with a credible system being formulated by Indian Broadcasting Foundation in consultation with others.

Ms Swarup announced that in order to revive National Film Development Council (NFDC), the Government has decided to increase its equity base. She did not give details on it but, said the Government may also give it a financial package.

''We have also decided to set up a fund of Rs 20 crore to help promote documentary films,'' she added.

The inaugural session was also addressed by FICCI President and MP Rajeev Chandrasekhar, veteran film maker Yash Chopra, Sony Entertainment Television CEO Kunal Dasgupta, European Commission Information Commissioner Viviane Reding, Canada's Foreign and International Trade Deputy Minister Stewart Beck and Switzerland's Ambassador to India Dominique Dreyer.

Film actress Sonam Kapoor, assisted the dignitaries seated on the dais to light the customary lamp to begin the event. They and Ms Swarup, in the absence of Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Priyaranjan Dasmunshi, collectively released the FICCI PwC report on Indian entertainment and media industry and the FICCI-Amarchand Mangaldas Law Book on the E&M industry.

The Minister, who was to release both the reports could not come due to unavoidable reasons, the organisers said.

Over 2,500 Indian and foreign delegates are attending the 9th edition of FICCI-FRAMES.

UNI CP NM VD ND1642