NEW DELHI: At a time when controversy is raging over films like Padmavati, S Durga and Nude, Niti Aayog chief executive Amitabh Kant on Tuesday proposed for setting up an index to rank states on their ability to provide a conducive environment for the media and entertainment industry to grow. The index, Kant said, could look like the Ease of Doing Business index, and should be aimed at getting states to compete with each other in offering a conducive environment for the growth of the sector. Pitching for digital technologies, Vempati said the future of media and entertainment lay in the convergence of technology and content, adding that private and public sectors needed to create the 'right technology ecosystem'. "The government and the private sector need to work together to create appropriate education and skilling opportunities for this sector," he said. Industry voice Sudhanshu Vats, Group CEO of Viacom 18 Media Pvt Ltd, highlighted the M&E sector's potential for job creation, while Amit Khanna, CII advisor, writer, and film maker emphasised the need for the government to play a facilitator rather than a regulator.

Source: Times of India December 05, 2017 17:37 UTC