Kathmandu: In today’s meeting of the Legislation Management Committee under the National Assembly, an understanding was reached to advance the Cinema Bill tabled by the government. It was agreed following the discussion among the government, parliamentarians, and stakeholders held at Singha Durbar to take the bill forward with amendments, including the addition of some provisions related to the cinema sector.
According to National News Agency Nepal, Minister for Communication and Information Technology Jagadish Kharel stated that the cinema bill would proceed with amendments. He clarified that the government does not intend to withdraw the bill despite the provisions for amendments within it. Minister Kharel emphasized the importance of moving forward with significant reforms based on recommendations from the government, committee, and stakeholders in the cinema sector. He also indicated that amendments might be made during the clause-wise discussion on the bill.
Other stakeholders, including representatives from film workers and producers’ associations, expressed support for amending the bill after considering the government’s perspective. Chairperson of the Film Development Board, Dinesh DC, Chairperson of the Film Artists’ Association Mohgan Niraula, General Secretary of the Producers’ Association Khagendra Lamichhane, and Chairperson of the Film Journalists’ Association Samir Balami all emphasized the necessity of amending the cinema bill to better reflect the various dimensions of the sector.
In the meeting, Committee President Tulasa Kumari Dahal conveyed the committee’s readiness to proceed with a clause-wise discussion on the bill, engaging stakeholders, experts, and lawmakers in different phases. The Upper House Committee has also sought written inputs and deliberations from stakeholders regarding the amendments.