HT Correspondent
ITANAGAR, Aug 5: In a major initiative to strengthen India’s media and entertainment sector, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Tuesday held a national conference of Information and Public Relations Secretaries from states and Union Territories at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.
Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, Dr L. Murugan, was the chief guest. Addressing the gathering, he underscored the pivotal role of states and UTs in building a modern, inclusive and efficient media and entertainment ecosystem.
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Dr Murugan highlighted key initiatives such as the Press Sewa Portal, India Cine Hub, WAVES Bazaar, and International Film Festivals, calling them part of a larger effort to promote the “orange economy.”
These reforms, he said, reflect the government’s commitment to empowering content creators and making India a media-friendly nation.
Secretary, I&B, Sanjay Jaju, who presided over the conference, said content creation in India has seen exponential growth.
He pointed to the rapid expansion of regional and vernacular media and said it presents both opportunity and challenge for effective public communication.
He stressed the importance of the conference in fostering collaboration and strengthening the sector’s contribution to the national economy.
Deliberations during the day focused on several key areas, including the full-scale implementation of the Press Sewa Portal under the Press and Registration of Periodicals Act, 2023.
States and UTs were urged to expedite the Act’s notification and ensure timely application processing through their respective District Magistrates or Collectors.
The India Cine Hub, relaunched in June 2024, also featured prominently.
Delegates were encouraged to adopt the Common Application Form for filming-related applications, contribute to the GIS-based location database, and facilitate incentives through the single-window system.
The Ministry outlined strategies to increase cinema access in low-screen-density areas by leveraging existing infrastructure, offering tax incentives, reforming land policies, and supporting low-cost, mobile cinema models.
States and UTs were also invited to showcase shooting destinations and talent through platforms such as the Indian Panorama and the ‘Creative Minds of Tomorrow’ (CMOT) initiative during film festivals like IFFI.
The role of WAVES Bazaar, a round-the-year marketplace for the media and entertainment industry, was highlighted as a platform for cross-regional partnerships, cultural promotion, and academic collaboration.
In line with the Prime Minister’s focus on the “concert economy,” the conference discussed using sports infrastructure for live entertainment events.
States were urged to onboard live event clearances onto the India Cine Hub portal, appoint nodal officers, streamline security protocols, and provide venue specifications.
The event concluded with a presentation by Dhirendra Ojha, Principal Director General, Press Information Bureau, who called for better coordination in information dissemination between the Centre and States.
Senior officials including commissioners, secretaries, directors, deputy directors, field publicity officers, and delegates from PIB, Doordarshan, and All India Radio attended the conference.
Representing Arunachal Pradesh was Chow Bilaseng Namchoom, who participated on behalf of Secretary, IPR, Nyali Ete.
