Himachal Pradesh looks to become film production hub

SHIMLA: With an aim to develop Himachal Pradesh as an important destination for film production and to disseminate information about its culture, history, heritage and traditions, besides projecting the captivating tourist places of state through films to attract tourists, the state government has notified Himachal Pradesh Film Policy 2019.
According to the policy, a fund to be known as "Film Development Fund" will be created by the state government in the information and public relations department for financing schemes for development of films and film-related infrastructure.For this fund, a cess @50 paisa per bottle of liquor will be levied in the state.
Himachal Pradesh has made a significant contribution to the development of Indian cinema. The breathtaking locales of the state have always attracted renowned film makers, who have used various locations to shoot many memorable films and documentaries. However, the state still has a number of popular, scenic, cultural, heritage and spiritual sites which are yet to be explored. In fact, each hamlet of the state has a pleasant surprise stored in its fold, waiting to be explored. Many artistes and creative persons of the state have made their mark in various departments of film making both at national and international levels.
This policy is framed to create an amiable atmosphere that would not only facilitate film shooting on a large scale in Himachal Pradesh but also ensure all-round development of activities related to various aspects of film production.
As per the policy, the state government will strive to create nationally competitive infrastructure and also upgrade the existing infrastructure. It would also provide administrative assistance to ease film making in the state. By bringing this policy, the state government wants to generate opportunities of employment and to attract additional capital investment through film industry.
It also aims to develop all-weather locales in the state for shooting of films and to provide healthy entertainment at affordable prices to the people of the state.
The proposed Film Development Fund will be managed by the information and public relations department under the guidance and direction of the Himachal Pradesh Film Development Council (HPFDC) that would include administrative officers as members and members of film fraternity as non-official members nominated by the state government.
The HPFDC will be headed by the chief secretary and devise strategies for development of film sector in Himachal Pradesh and will finalize norms for giving various financial grants to film producers, film production houses and owners for setting up of new cinema hall, multiplexes and owners of old cinema halls for revival of closed cinema halls, etc. It will give its recommendations and suggestions for developing and upgrading necessary infrastructure required for the development of film sector in the state.
There will also be an executive committee that will examine the eligibility and fix criteria to provide financial and other incentives to film makers. The executive committee will function under the administrative control of the department of information and public relations.
The state government will also make efforts to set up film cities in the state, so that entire required infrastructure is available at one place. A feasibility study for this will be undertaken through an expert agency to assess the prospects for setting up of a film city and film lab with the help of private sector.
This study will be conducted by the information and public relations department through a professional agency, and on the basis of its report, a detailed project report will be formulated and submitted to the private sector for implementation.
Investment incentives as recommended by the HPFDC and approved by the state government will be provided to the investors for setting up film cities.
For promoting setting up of multiplexes, with one or more cinema screens, 75% reimbursement on SGST will be provided for 7 years. Similarly, new cinema halls will be provided 75% reimbursement on SGST for 5 years.
For setting up of multiplexes and cinema halls at the places in Himachal Pradesh where there is no multiplex or cinema halls at present, if available, the land will be provided on lease by the state government.