Prasoon Joshi responds to abolition of FCAT; calls it a part of extensive tribunal reform

After the Central government, on April 4, scrapped the cinema's statuary body, Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (FCAT), chairperson of Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) Prasoon Joshi shared his opinion on the matter with a hope to handle cine concerns "amicably" with the Centre.

Prasoon Joshi on scrapping FCAT

"This is part of extensive tribunal reform. One understands that this a procedural rationalisation of multiple tribunals not just FCAT, which have been either merged or reduced from 26 to 19 based on functional similarity," said Joshi in a statement. The CBFC chairperson further said that apart from increased functional efficiency, the move shall reduce the burden on the public exchequer, especially when the public at large is not a direct litigant in many of these tribunals.

"From our industry's specific standpoint, the fact is that over the last few years, the number of films needing to go to an appellate body has seen a steady decline. Over the last two-three years only around 0.2 percent of films were taken to FCAT and am sure this gap can be further closed," he said.

Explaining the impact of synchronisation between CBFC board and other stakeholders, he concluded, "As I sincerely believe that when the industry has the key body - the CBFC working in an efficient and pragmatic manner, all matters and concerns can be dealt with responsibly, amicably and in the spirit of collaboration between the stakeholders."

Abolition of FCAT

FCAT, the statuary body in India, was tasked with 'regulating the public exhibition of films under the provisions of the Cinematograph Act 1952'. It was established to monitor whether a film was suitable for public exhibition or not. After the FCAT was scrapped, filmmakers like Hansal Mehta and more had expressed their displeasure.

Following a knock-back from the Parliament on 'The Tribunals Reform Bill 2021', which was introduced by Minister of State for Finance Anurag Singh Thakur, an ordinance was passed on April 4, through which the government terminated eight appellate tribunals, including FCAT in order to maintain a proper mechanism for filing cine concerns or appeal directly to the commercial court or a high court.