Title - Soon, single-window clearance for foreign film crew coming to India

NEW DELHI: In an effort to put an end to months of delays and bureaucratic red-tape, the government plans to set up a single-window clearance for permissions to foreign filmmakers for film shoots.The information and broadcasting (I&B) ministry plans to establish a Film Facilitation and Promotion Bureau (FFPB) that will include representatives from key ministries like home, I&B, railways, culture and tourism.The proposal is likely to be brought before the Union Cabinet soon. At present, filmmakers need to take over 70 permissions and licenses for a shoot in India. The bureau is expected to plug gaps to provide quick clearances.The bureau will be styled along the lines of film commissions across the world that provide the complete range of pre-production services acting not just as a general resource but also as a clearing house for information locations, logistical information regarding crew, talent, facilities, stages, equipment and support services.The government is also looking at incentive packages in terms of tax exemptions. The cost of setting up the commission is estimated at around Rs 5 crore and it would take about three months after the nod is given. I&B secretary UK Varma said, "We plan to put timelines for all departments to ensure that permissions are given expeditiously."