NEW DELHI : Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC)
chairperson Leela Samson has resigned citing reasons such as interference, coercion and corruption of panel members and officers of the organisation who are appointed by the Ministry. “We have not received any formal resignation letter from Ms Samson. She has informed me about her decision through an SMS,” Secretary, Information and Broadcasting Ministry, Bimal Jhulka told today.
In a statement here, Ms Samson said,”Recent cases of interference in working of CBFC by Ministry through additional charge CEO and corrupt panel members has caused a degradation of values that we stood for. Having to manage the organisation whose Board has not met for over nine months, as the Ministry has no funds to permit the members’ meeting is also why I quit.” Ms Samson said her decision to resign was final. “I have send my resignation to the I and B secretary,” she said.
Sources said the resignation of Ms Samson followed the decision of the Film certification appellate tribunal (FCAT) to clear the controversial film ‘Messanger of God’ featuring Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in a lead role. The Censor Board had refused certification to the film and had referred the issue of clearance of the film to the FCAT. The film is scheduled to release in theatres today. (AGENCIES)
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