'No screening at American Centre without licence'

Focusing on the activities of American Centre is the latest in the Indian government’s plans to target the "transgressions" of the US institutions in the country.

Focusing on the activities of American Centre is the latest in the Indian government’s plans to target the "transgressions" of the US institutions in the country.

The US embassy has been asked not to screen any movies at the American Centre without obtaining a licence and given a deadline of January 20 to comply with the direction. The American Centre regularly screens films without having the requisite licence, the government has found.

It is yet another step by India to retaliate against the arrest of its deputy consul general in New York Devyani Khobragade on visa fraud charges and underpaying her nanny.

"To stop transgressions of US institutions in Delhi, activities of the American Centre have been brought under the scanner," sources said.

In a tersely-worded communication to the American Centre on January 3, the January 20 deadline has been set "for complying with Indian laws and to obtain a film screening licence", the sources said. htc