The first Film Institute in Agartala under the aegis of Satyajit Roy Film and Television Institute (SRFTI) will become operational this month, said Information and Cultural Affairs Minister of TripuraSushanta Chowdhury on Wednesday.
“The first Film Institute will start functioning within the next 8-10 days. It will operate from Nazrul Kalakhestra, at present. Around 100 applications were received. Candidates from Uttar Pradesh and even from Bangladesh are inquiring about the courses – however, the government has decided that students of Tripura will only get a chance for admission”, Sushanta Chowdhury while speaking at a programme organized to mark the National Press day in Agartala today.
Congratulating the media persons on Press Day, the Minister highlighted several government initiatives taken for the welfare of media persons of the State.
Chowdhury also underlined that a plan to increase the advertisement rates issued by the ICA to the media is in pipeline.
He mentioned the Health Insurance scheme for the media persons and said, the accredited media persons would get coverage of Rs 3 lakh and 80 per cent of the premium would be spent by the government while the concerned media person would contribute the remaining 20 per cent.
In this connection the Minister mentioned, as only accredited media persons would get the benefit, the ICA department decided to increase the number of accredited media persons in the State aiming to extend the benefit to a maximum number of media men.
“After the BJP government came into power, the pension of the journalists increased from Rs 1000 to Rs 10,000. Moreover, the family pension scheme was also enrolled by the incumbent government”, Chowdhury pointed out.
The ICA Minister appreciated the role of the media in a democratic society – however, he made a clarion statement that no one should dictate the government the terms.
“We are open to discussions relating to any issues of the media fraternity. Our government is media friendly. But the government will not allow dictating it on any issues”, he asserted.
In this connection, he also vehemently denounced the trend of ‘character assassination’ by a few while writing a report. Some are more interested in spreading canards – but this does not work as people have become smarter and know the truth, he commented.