New Delhi: The Union information and broadcasting ministry has given an extension to the Shyam Benegal-led panel which is looking into the overall functioning of the censor board.
It is understood that the committee is now expected to submit its report on the overhaul of Central Board of Film Certification by the end of April this year.
The committee was constituted by the I&B ministry on January 1 and was asked to submit its report by the end of February.
Mr Benegal told agencies that the I&B ministry has given an extension to the panel after it sought more time to analyse in depth the feedback it had received from various stakeholders and come out with a thorough report.
“The committee will now submit the report by April end,” he said.
The committee had been constituted by the I&B ministry to provide a framework for film certification and for a holistic interpretation of the provisions of the Cinematograph Act and Rules. The panel was formed against the backdrop of a string of controversies related to the CBFC.
I&B minister Arun Jaitley had, days before the panel was constituted, stated that he felt a time had come to have a look at the role of the CBFC which needs to be “controversy-free”.
With Mr Benegal as its chief, the committee includes actor Kamal Haasan, filmmakers Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra and Gautam Ghose, adman Piyush Pandey, film critic Bhawana Somaaya and some officials.
