Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on August 26th, 2019 made a slew of announcements for the benefit of the Assam film industry, one of which includes re-opening of the closed cinema halls.
Sonowal was addressing the media in presence of Guwahati MP Queen Oja, Cultural Affairs Minister Naba Kumar Doley, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Pijush Hazarika and other BJP leaders here at a programme in Jyoti Chitrabon Film Studio in Guwahati.
The Chief Minister said as per the new film policy, the state government will work towards ensuring that the regional films are screened every day at the theatres. “We are also planning to provide financial assistance to at least 20 regional films,” added Sonowal.
It may be mentioned that the long pending demand of the film fraternity of Assam for the revival of the industry saw a ray of light after the Assam Cabinet on July 22nd, 2019, gave a nod to new film policy.
As per the cabinet decision, Rs 25 lakh subsidy will be given for the films whose production cost is Rs 1 crore. The cabinet also announced Rs 1 crore financial assistance for the movies honoured with National Award, and Rs 2 crore for films nominated for Oscar. Moreover, a corpus fund will be created collecting Rs 1 from each ticket sold for the welfare of artistes and around 2000 artistes will get assistance of Rs 50,000.
