Cuts-no cuts: A dilemma over CBFC's role

Latest evidence of Udta Punjab to innumerable movies got scissors pass over them by Central Board of Film Certification. It is the duty of CBFC to duly take care of anything inappropriate in the movies to be served to public. But the organisation has fallen into controversy over excessive cut offs done to many movies in recent times and Udta punjab the latest in that. How far CBFC is justified in excessive moral policing? That's a question to mull over.

Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC)  is a Statutory body under Ministry of Information and Broadcasting,  regulating the public exhibition of films under the provisions of the Cinematograph Act 1952. 

At present films are certified under 4 categories-

U- Unrestricted public exhibition.

UA- Unrestricted public exhibition but with a word of caution that parental discretion is required for children below 12 years.

A- Restricted to adults.

S- Restricted to any special class of persons.

Despite these categorisation heavy cut offs being made in movies. This has fired up a debate whether film making i.e. an art is getting requisite scope for expression. Indian government constituted two commission for considering this issue. First was Mukul Mudgal committee gave its report in 2013 but its recommendation were not considered worthy to thought over. And second was Shyam Benegal Committee 2016 of which much was expected but its report is also below par. Few important recommendations of Shyam Benegal Committee-

a) Focus shifted on certification in place of censorship.

b) Members of CBFC will be reduced to 9 from 25.

c) Two more categories will be increased i.e. one for minor and another for adults.

d) CBFC will no longer have power to suggest or make cuts in movies.

e) But CBFC will have absolute power in refusing to give certification to movies violating section 5B(1) of Cinematograph Act, 1952.

This report on one hand took power of making cuts from CBFC but at the very other hand brought this section 5B(1) to give absolute power to CBFC. What this section is? Lets have a look-

Section 5B(1) of Cinematograph Act, 1952 states ," A film shall not be certified for public exhibition if, in the opinion of the authority competent to grant the certificate, the film or any part of it is against the interest of the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of the state, friendly relations with the foreign states, public order, decency or morality, or involves defamation or contempt of court or is likely to incite the commission of any offence" will be denied of the certification.

This section comprises broad categories like morality, decency, public order, sovereignty and integrity of nation which can put any movie under shadow of violation of this section.

What will be adverse effects of it?

a) It is clear violation of article 19(2) of expression under Indian constitution.

b) Movie making (an art) will face hurdles in its unhindered presentation.

c) Movies are mirrors of society hence they represent contemporary and historical aspects of society. If they are controlled by this moral policing then public will not have access to naked reality of many harsh elements of our society.

d) Development of film industry will not be as par Hollywood. Which gives maximum freedom to film makers.

But it is also cannot be denied that some elements of movies are harmful for society and they cannot be presented to maximum public considering their adverse effects on mentality of public. But for that we have categories to restrict people on the basis of content to age parameters. Hence such provisions should be applied which do not compromise with the social environment and also give maximum freedom to producers to present their art to public.

Indian Priority NSG or APEC

India's bid to entrance into Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) is burning topic in international relations. As Indian PM is on USA trip and US has promised to support Indian claims for entrance into NSG. India already has got affirmative stance from Switzerland and Mexico for support in NSG entrance. Now question arises, Do all these diplomatic tricks are fruitful? and Is Indian entrance into NSG that important? Shouldn't India focus more on APEC entrance? Lets have some insight into it.

NSG- Nuclear suppliers group was created after India did nuclear experiment in 1974 to prevent nuclear proliferation by controlling the export of materials, equipment and technology that can be used to manufacture nuclear weapons. Isn't it ironical that USA is supporting India for inclusion into that same group which was created against it. Although US has done yes but consensus is required in this matter and China will never support. Even few other countries can be against India. And if somehow India gets entrance what could be outcome-
a) Indian prestige among international powers will increase.
b) India can stop Pakistan from entering into the NSG.
c) India (biggest contributor in UN peace forces) a peace angel can contribute in regulation of nuclear material.
But there are few question marks also on it.
a) Whoever joins NSG should be a signatory to Non proliferation treaty (NPT) which India unlikely to join.
b) China although a member of both NSG and NPT helping pakistan in establishing nuclear reactors undermining the regulations of NSG.
c) NSG itself has not been very effective in controlling proliferation of nuclear materials hence joining it not that fruitful for India as it is perceiving it.
Overall its a waste of time and energy to try for entrance into NSG. Over this India should invest its diplomatic moves for entrance into APEC (Asia-Pacific economic cooperation) group. Benefits to India on entering APEC--

--- Most of the APEC countries are good in economic growth and India can leverage in trade and commerce being in the group.
--- India belongs to the region as will be very active in engaging all the political and economic activities.
--- Indian presence in the group will be a check to the rising chinese influence in the region particular and South China Sea in specific.

Not only India but other countries will also have positive impacts of it...
--- An economically prosperous and regionally engaged India benefits the US' strategic goals on Asia.
--- Indian contemporary govt is trying to bring economic reforms to open Indian market (Make in India initiative) improve trade volume and facilitate its growing populations' need of employment. Hence will be immense opportunity for other member countries to invest in India.
--- Balance the power poles of the reason.
Hence India should focus more on APEC rather than NSG to get admission into.

Port Development and capacity building

India is dependent on road network for cargo transportation as water transport is just 3.5% of total cargo transportation and railways are suffering from inefficiency, loading delay, poor service etc. Hence through Make in India initiative Indian government want to boost cargo transportation through water mode. There are many benefits of this-

--- First of all cargo transportation through water mode is very cheap. Only 20 paisa per km is the cost over that road and railways cost around 1.5 and 1 rupee per km respectively.
--- increased cargo transportation through water will prompt port development and their capacity building which ultimately boost the economy and help in employment generation.
--- just port development and capacity building will the do the trick to uptick economy, but it will force us to improve connectivity of ports to hinterland through roads and railways to make it a successful affair.

Targets, initiatives and achievements of Indian government in this direction-

--- Indian government has already started to move in this direction as our port capacity has increased to 965.3 million tonnes from 800 million tonnes in last two years.
--- Over that our 11 out 13 major ports have witnessed capacity development in last 2 years.
--- Considering it the top priority of the govt it is targeted to achieve 1400 million tonnes to 3000 million tonnes of total port capacity by 2025.
--- Logistics cost has to be bring down. At present it is 18%. It is targeted to bring it down to 12%. As high costs leads to overall higher cost of products makes them nonviable for major section of society, unpopular among people and increase inflation. China has logistics cost at 8%.

It is right time as world economy is also recovering and few internal reforms on the parts of Indian government in manufacturing and infrastructure development can uptick our economy.