SC permits all films in 53rd NFA

New Delhi, Dec 08 (UNI) The Supreme Court today stayed the Bombay High Court's order permitting all films, with or without Censor Board certificate to make an entry in the 53rd National Film Awards(NFA).

The Information and Broadcasting Ministry, through a notification, had exempted Doordarshan and Film and Television Institute of India(FTII) entries from having censor certificates in the 53rd National Film Awards, as all Doordarshan programmes are exempted from the provisions related to the certification of films.

A bench comprising Justices B P Singh and Tarun Chatterjee also issued notices to Gaurav Ashwin Jain and others based on an appeal filed by the Directorate of Film Festivals against the High Court judgment.

The Directorate of Film Festivals contended that regulation 10(d) and 10(e) are not violative of Article 14 (Right to Equality) as contended by the respondent herein.

Earlier, the respondent Gaurav Ashwin Jain had pleaded before the High Court that the impugned notification had granted exemption only to Doordarshan and FTII entries, while in case of feature and non- feature films the Censor certificate has been retained, required to make an entry into the NFA and hence the same was discriminatory in nature as it violates Article 14 of the Constitution and therefore it should be declared as void.

According to the petitioner, films contribute immensely in understanding and appreciating the regional culture of the country in cinematic form, thereby, promoting integration and unity among the masses.

Mentionably, the last date of entry in 53rd National Film Awards(NFA) was May 19 2006, while in case of non-feature films, the last date was extended upto June 3 2006, following an amendment in regulation 10(e) of 53rd NFA.

UNI AKS/SC SSC RAI1855