Schemes of I&B Ministry still awaiting approval: Par panel

A Parliamentary panel has expressed "concern" that several schemes of the I&B Ministry like conversion of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication into a media university and setting up of Museum of Moving Images are still awaiting approval.

A Parliamentary panel has expressed "concern" that several schemes of the I&B Ministry like conversion of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication into a media university and setting up of Museum of Moving Images are still awaiting approval.

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The Standing Committee on Information and Technology on the ministry's demands for grants (2010-11) has noted in its report "with concern that a number of schemes meant for implementation during 2010-11 are still awaiting approval. Out of 28 ongoing schemes, the requisite approval in respect of two schemes like National Press Centre (to be set up for telecasting Commonwealth Games) and the Museum of Moving Images, are still pending.

Besides out of total 38 new schemes included in the annual Plan for 2010-11 of the ministry, 13 schemes are still awaiting requisite approval".

Some of these schemes include conversion of Indian Institute of Mass Communication into a media university, setting up of a centre of excellence for animation, setting up of National Film Heritage Mission, digitalisation of transmitters, and setting up of transmitters for border areas of Jammu and Kashmir.

Concluding that the existing situation within the ministry is not conducive to its overall working, the committee has asked the I&B ministry to vigorously pursue the matter with the Planning Commission so that these schemes are cleared without further delay.

The report was tabled in Parliament recently.