National Film Awards put off over poll code, to be declared after elections

lok-sabha-elections

Updated: Apr 24, 2019 15:08 IST

The government on Wednesday decided to announce the National Film Awards after the conclusion of the national elections. The decision to put off the announcement was taken by information and broadcasting ministry secretary Amit Khare to ensure that the awards do not disturb the level-playing field during elections.

The awards are declared in April every year, a statement by the information and broadcasting ministry said.

In 2014, the government had broadly stuck to this schedule and presented the awards in early May, well before the conclusion on the election process.

This time, the government is adopting a cautious approach around the Election Commission’s model code of conduct also because one of the awards relates to selection of the most-film friendly state.

Amit Khare’s order deferring the national awards said the decision had been taken in light of the model code, which facilitates level playing field to all political parties and seeks to ensure that the power of media is not used to tilt the level-playing field during the election process.