Bangladesh Film and Television Institute Bill (Amendment), 2019 was passed in the parliament today aiming at creating skilled artists and directors through research works and training.

Information Minister Hasan Mahmud moved the bill which was unanimously passed by voice votes in the houses with Deputy Speaker Fazle Rabbi Miah in the chair.

Before placing the bill in the House, Fazle Rabbi suspended it as the minister of the respective ministry was not available in the parliament chamber.

Later, following the request of Hasan Mahmud, Fazle Rabbi, allowed the information minister to place the bill when he informed the House that he was delayed to come to parliament due to traffic jam and his pre-schedule for attending a programme.

While placing his amendment proposal on the bill, main opposition Jatiya Party MP Fakhrul Imam strongly criticize the information minister for undermining parliament and giving priority to his other activities.

Participating discussion on the bill, Opposition Jatiya Party and BNP MPs criticised the minister for the sorry state of BTV, the state-owned channel, and substandard of its different programmes.

According to the proposed bill, a four to the six-member governing body of the Bangladesh Film and Television Institute with a provision of keeping one teacher and a director nominated by the government will be formed.

The tenure of the governing body members would be three years instead of the existing two years.

Piloting the bill, the minister said once the bill is passed in the parliament and the law is enacted, the representation of the teachers and instructors of the Bangladesh Film and Television Institute would be ensured.