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KFIDC meeting likely to be stormy
From K. N. Venkatasubba Rao
BANGALORE, Nov. 28.
The annual general body meeting of the Karnataka Film Industries Development Corporation Limited (KFIDC). slated to be held here on Saturday, is likely to be stormy. This is following a section of documentary film directors and others, who have reportedly decided to expose the irregularities in the KFIDC which are believed to be the reason for its losses.
The objective of the KFIDC, which was set up in 1972. was to highlight the development and other socio-economic activities in the State. The Government had issued a notification, dated December 14, 1981, to all the departments, including corporations and boards, to produce documentary films through the KFIDC It issued another notification on June 22, 1990, stating that the Managing Director of the KFIDC had complained that the Departments were awarding assignments to private parties.
The KFIDC acts as a nodal agency between the Government departments and film makers. It takes up assignments from departments on a contract basis and awards films to directors and producers on a commission basis. There are instances where reputed directors had produced Government documentaries utilising the facilities of the KFIDC and paid a commission to it.
The survey report of the Karnataka State Bureau of Public Enterprise (DPAR) for 199 3-94 says that the Corporation has been Incurring losses due to not getting sufficient assignment for producing documentary films from Government departments and organisations.’ On KPIDC’s performance during the three fiscal years beginning 199 1-92, the report points out that in 199 1-92 the KFIDC produced eight documentary and advertisement films, earning Rs. 1.70 Iakhs. In 1992-93, it produced three films (Rs. 1.23 lakhs) and nine films in 1993-94 (Rs. 5.20 lakhs). The revenue earned in 1991-92 and 1993-94 provides an interesting insight. Besides, the survey observes that ‘the Corporation did not get any assignment for producing documentary films from Government organisations in 1993-94.’ This observation and the number of films produced by various departments, particularly Small Savings. Health and Family Welfare and Sericulture, during the year, reflects the situation.
The Government issued a circular, dated September 28, 1993, asking all departments to provide details of the documentary films produced by them as a report had to be submitted to the Legislature. It provided a format with seven questions. One was whether the departments or organisations had complied with the Government’s earlier circulars.
Some film-makers, who allege they are denied an opportunity to produce films, say the lack of a uniform policy had allowed the departments to frame their own policies with regard to allotting films to private parties.
They say a Government employee had been making films under various banners though the Government prefers to produce films under individual names. Under the rules, a Government employees cannot involve himself/herself in producing films connected with the Government. Sources at the KFIDC point out that the employee had showed a turnover of Rs. 50 lakhs in a year.
They charge the KFIDC with deliberately sidelining certain deserving directors who are ready to pay 30 per cent commission. They question the propriety of awarding films to ‘particular’ persons.
They allege that a producer, who refused to improve the quality of a film he had produced for the State Temperance Board, despite the department’s displeasure, was now making another film for the Government.
Meanwhile, on behalf of a section of film-makers, a senior film director, has submitted a requisition to the Minister for Information and Publicity highlighting the arbitrary attitude and non-profitable dealings of the KFIDC. He has urged the Minister to initiate redressal measure before he (the film director) went to the court. A section of film-makers are planning to demand an enquiry into the KFIDC affairs.
All these issues are likely to stir a hornet’s nest at the meeting, however, according to insiders, the meeting is bound to bring about far reaching changes as it can no longer afford to get bogged down by its own weight, Meet on rehabilitation of mentally disabled BANGALORE, Nov. 28.
The three-day fourth national conference of the Parents Association of the mentally-handicapped will be held in Bangalore from December 1.
The conference is being organised by the Karnataka Parents’ Association for the Mentally Retarded Citizens (KPAMRC). Bangalore. and the National institute for the Mentally Handicapped, Secunderabad (Hyderabad) at the Indian Social Institute. Benson Town. It will discuss the socio-economic rehabilitation of the mentally-retarded individuals through parents self-help groups and on the merits and demerits of residential care through parent self-help groups, Mr. Venkatesh. vice-president of KPAMRC. told presspersons here today.
As part of the conference, an exhibition is being held where items produced by the mentally-handicapped will be on display.. The conference. he said, assumes great importance in view of the Disability Bill passed by Parliament recently. ‘The rules have yet to be formulated,” he said.
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