Technicians' Studio Private Limited (Amendment) Bill passed in state Assembly

Kolkata: The Technicians' Studio Private Limited (Amendment) Bill, 2019 was passed at the state Assembly on Tuesday empowering the state government to constitute a new statutory authority like Board for the purpose of vesting better superintendence, direction, control and management of the affairs and business of the studio. The Board named West Bengal Board for Technicians' Studio is aimed at simplifying its operation and making provisions for better control of the state government over the affairs of the Studio.

"There are some statutory obligations like GST, Income Tax which the technicians have to comply with . The Board will compile these factors to ensure that the technicians' interest are upheld in a proper manner," said Indranil Sen, Minister of State for Information and Cultural Affairs while placing the Bill at the Assembly.

Sen also reiterated that the Mamata Banerjee government has ensured that political interference do not come in the way of the functioning of the studios and the film industry at large. He clarified that the Bill is for Technicians and has nothing to do with the Tollywood artists. The Board consisting of seven members will be headed by a Chairman who shall be the Minister in charge of Information and Cultural Affairs (I& CA) department or any other minister appointed by the Chief Minister.

The Board will also consist of a vice chairman appointed by the state government and members in the form of secretary I & CA , secretary of Finance department , joint secretary of I& CA , one officer below the rank of joint secretary of I &CA and three other persons from the film or television industry in the state as nominated by the state government.

Set up in 1952, the technicians associated with this studio are facing a lot of hardships, including problem with their wages. The state government wants intervention to address the grievances.