NEW DELHI: A separate legislation may be brought in Parliament to give both, the Film and Television Institute of India in Pune and the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute in Kolkata, status of ‘Institute of National Importance,’ Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar has said.

His predecessors have been promising status of ‘Institution of National Importance’ not only to FTII and SRTFI but also the Indian Institute of Mass Communications for more than a decade, but this is the first time there has been talks of a separate legislation for the purpose.

During his first visit to Pune, the Minister made it clear to its director and staff that he would ensure that funds availability would not be a problem for this premier institute. Javadekar held a discussion with director DJ Narain and the staff members, faculty and students.
 

Addressing a press conference, he said FTII would be revamped with state of the art technology and there would not be any paucity of budget for the same. He said the Centre would give highest priority to accord FTII and the SRFTI.

Interacting with students and faculty members of the FTII, he said the government would hold discussions with all stakeholders before finalising the draft of new Cinematograph Act.

Narain informed media that according such a status would result in the recognition to FTII degrees in the field of academics and trained professionals from the institute would be able to pursue higher education abroad.

Meanwhile, the Minister said while harnessing the potential of thousands of exotic locations all over the country for film shootings, the stumbling block is of payment gateway. For this, he added, that a single window system for clearance should also include a payment gateway.