NEW DELHI: The Public Accounts Committee ( PAC ) of Parliament has censured the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) for meting out "preferential" treatment to big filmmakers and inordinately delaying certification of films even after they are cleared by the Board's examining committee.Even as allegations of favouritism have piled up against the Censor Board, the PAC report, based on its examination of the working of CBFC, admonished it for playing 'partisan'. It also faulted the ministry of information and broadcasting for its failure to rein in the Board.In recent months, the sharpest take-down of the CBFC was by its former chief Pahlaj Nihlani, who had alleged that even though he applied for a certificate for his film 'Rangeela Raja' first, CBFC allowed Amir Khan-starrer 'Thugs of Hindostan' to jump the queue for certification.Proving Nihlani's allegations right, the PAC, in its report, said, "The committee was dismayed to note that CBFC, in order to help big filmmakers who had applied for certification very close to release date, granted certificates to their films ahead of other applicants even when there was no such urgency expressed."The PAC was also unconvinced by the ministry's response to its recommendations. "The ministry apprised the committee regarding measures taken to correct the certification process. However, no guidelines have been issued for alteration of the order of certification, as desired... committee is of the view that clear instructions... are imperative to rule out any favouritism towards big banners," it said. The PAC had recommended an internal audit system to ensure certification process works efficiently.