Kathmandu: Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Jagadish Kharel, has said that the Film Bill, 2081 needs to be revised as it is incomplete.
He mentioned that the bill, which came after 56 years, is not timely and urged the National Assembly’s Legislative Committee to make it more refined and dispute-free with necessary amendments.
Speaking in the committee meeting today, during the theoretical discussion on the film bill, he commented that he found only a 10 percent amendment to the bill when viewed from the perspective of stakeholders including audiences, producers, and regulators, and expressed the view that it should be rewritten if necessary.
“Seen from all four lenses, this bill has not been amended to incorporate the realities in the film sector that have surfaced after 56 years. If it can be revised up to 20 to 30 percent, then it would be in tune with the time. If necessary, it may have to be revised up to 40 percent,” he suggested. Minister Kharel emphasised that facilitation and provision should come before regulation in the film industry.
In the debate over which ministry the film sector should fall under, Minister Kharel argued that as the film industry is naturally connected with communication, audiovisuals, technology, and production, it should be placed under the Ministry of Communication.
He expressed a commitment to addressing the concerns and issues raised with the censor board, stressing on the need to include provisions for ‘censor’ in a way to safeguarding originality and creativity. Referring to the current political landscape, Minister of Communications Kharel has reaffirmed the government’s dedication to conducting elections on March 5.
With all necessary preparations in place to ensure the elections occur as scheduled, Minister Kharel has called for cooperation and noted that the government is engaging in phased discussions with relevant parties to foster an election-friendly environment, while also maintaining ongoing dialogue with political factions.
The proposed film bill has been reviewed in 10 separate groups, both individually and collectively. The bill has seen amendments on 189 different points. Committee Secretary Manoj Kumar Giri reported that, in addition to the committee members, 20 other MPs have put forth amendments.
Committee members Renu Chand, Jhakku Prasad Subedi, Dr. Anjan Shakya, Krishna Bahadur Rokaya, Taramani Swar, Padma Bahadur Pariyar, and Madan Kumari Shah have emphasized that the Nepali film industry is facing a significant crisis.
They argued that it should be recognized not just as a form of entertainment, but also as a vehicle for social change, cultural impact, and economic opportunity. MPs highlighted concerns regarding the increasingly challenging conditions for artists, the discouragement of investors, and the struggle to keep pace with rapid technological advancements.
Additionally, MPs expressed theoretical perspectives on the rights provisions within the bill, addressing practical matters related to facilitating foreign film productions.