Mah govt to form study group to look into anti-piracy legislation

Mumbai, July 25 (UNI) The woes of the Mumbai film industry battling the menace of piracy found an echo in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly today with the state government promising to enact a stringent anti-piracy legislation.

Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil told the Lower House that a study group would be constituted to recommend to the government whether a separate legislation on the lines of that in Tamil Nadu should be enacted or amendment to the Maharashtra Prevention of Disruptive Activities (MPDA) Act would help to keep a check on pirates.

The issue figured through a calling attention notice by Sachin Ahir (NCP) and others demanded that the government look into the issue which is affecting its revenues. ''Bollywood is not just about big producers, directors and actors, but also provides bread and butter to lakhs of technicians and junior actors,'' Mr Ahir added.

He demanded enactment of a legislation on lines of that in Tamil Nadu to which Minister of State for Home Siddharam Mhetre replied that the proposal was under consideration of the Cabinet and a decision would be taken soon. Not satisfied with the response, members cutting across party lines brought to the notice of the Speaker Babasaheb Kupekar that the written reply mentions that the government was considering amendment to the MPDA Act. They wanted to know the exact position of the government.

''The Minister should clarify whether the government wants to amend the MPDA Act or enact a fresh legislation on the lines of that in Tamil Nadu,'' the members demanded. To which Mr Mhetre said both proposals were under consideration.

Shashikant Shinde (NCP) said that piracy was a huge racket and police who acted against pirates were punished. ''If stringent laws are implemented, the state government will get at least Rs 200 crore revenue in terms of entertainment tax,'' he added.

Intervening in the debate, Mr R R Patil admitted that the existing laws were not sufficient to tackle the menace of piracy. ''A delegation of Bollywood personalities met me recently and urged the government to take neccessary steps.'' He said the present laws did not give sufficient powers to the pirates. They got bail easily and even their goods confiscated had to be released.

''Preliminary discussions have been completed on the need to have a stringent act. We have asked for the Tamil Nadu act also. A study group will be appointed soon to study which act would be suitable to the state and a proposal will be submitted to the Cabinet in eight to 15 days,'' Mr Patil informed.

UNI