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Subhash K Jha (DNA; October 3, 2014)

Enlarge ImageRecent charges of corruption, incompetence and shortsightedness made against the Censor Board Of Film Certification have hit home. A regular, systematic online film certification procedure is being put in place as the first of many changes in the way the Board functions.

Enlarge ImageWhat this means for producers, is avoiding physical queues that result in agonising delays in procuring censor certificates. They will now be able to apply and get censor certificates online.

A well-placed source from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting says, “We are revamping the Censor Board entirely. While the hunt for a new CEO is on, we’ve recruited two additional ROs (Regional Officer) — one in Mumbai and the other in Trivandrum.”

But the ultimate aim is to do away with the producers’ verbal interaction with the Censor Board altogether. Says the source, “What we are now looking at, is a major chunk of films being certified online. This would not only speed up the process of certification, but in time, ensure complete transparency in the interaction between the Board and producers, thereby eliminating all chances of corrupt practices.”

At the outset, online certification would be a partial process, with the ministry planning to convert completely to this supposedly foolproof method of certification soon. CBFC chairperson Leela Samson confirms, “Yes, that (online certification) will be the future.”