J&K to have a new film policy

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Move to promote tourist destinations in all the 20 districts of UT

Jammu: To bring unexplored destinations in all the 20 districts of Jammu and Kashmir on Bollywood map, UT administration has decided to come up with a new film policy for the entire Union Territory.

In this connection, the administration in a letter to all the Deputy Commissioners has asked them to document in a prescribed format unexplored locations within their respective districts for the purposes of  “movie making’’ and submit those details by the evening of April 25.

The letter sent by Director Information Rahul Pandey read: “as you are all aware that a new Film Policy for the UT of J and K is scheduled to be unveiled in the next few days by HLG sir”. One of the essential components of this policy is development of a “Location Directory” which will enable movie makers to shoot in various known and unexplored locales of the UT, added. 

“In order to create such a directory, a Google Form has been created with relevant fields pertaining to a location like Location Name,Address, Connectivity options, Accommodation options nearby etc.,” it said, asking the Deputy Commissioners to go through the form and get the form filled location wise with respect to your district so that further action regarding the same can be taken. “Please cover as many locations as possible,” it said asking them to submit all the details by the evening of April 25.

According to the Google form attached with the letter asks them to give location name, apart from location address with coordinates/Google map location, besides location category indicating whether it is religious place, historic buildings/ruins, military museums among others. It also asks them to categorize the location as a village, town or a city and how is it accessible, besides the nearest airport, train station, bus stop and helipad and their distance.

The Deputy Commissioners have also been asked to mention the accommodation available and categorise its type into star or other, details and address of various accommodation options  with google map location (point wise), location details and special feature of location if any.

A copy of your responses will be emailed to the addresses provided by you, it added.

The move assumes significance as it is aimed to drawing the attention of Bollowood to unexplored destinations not only in Kashmir, but Jammu division as well. This, officials said, is bound to satiate the feeling of people of Jammu of getting ignored in matters of tourist promotion.