The government has not adhered to the recommendations of the Hema panel, some of them have been implemented: CM Pinarayi Vijayan

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has denied allegations that the government was not implementing the recommendations of the Justice K Hema Commission. He said the contents of the report were not made public at the specific request of the panel as it would infringe on the privacy of the persons named in it.

Referring to numerous cases where police have registered cases against individuals in the film industry based on complaints, the prime minister said the government would take action if a woman who has given a statement before the commission files a complaint.

“The Justice Hema Committee has not recommended that cases be registered or that any investigation be conducted on the basis of the statements in the report. Instead, it has demanded that the privacy of those who made the statements be protected,” the chief minister said.

Pinarayi cited numerous incidents related to the film industry, including the sexual assault on an actress in a moving car, where the police acted swiftly. “No matter how high and mighty the perpetrator is, he will be held accountable,” he said. He said the government had first considered the recommendations in the Hema Committee report as important. In the first phase, issues that require urgent resolution were considered. Then, the government considered the recommendations that needed to be examined in detail. The government also sought to address the question of whether it has the right to impose guidelines for the functioning of the film industry.

“The establishment of an internal complaints committee, the main demand of women in the film industry, was addressed. The government also acted on the recommendation that films with women as crew should be encouraged,” the prime minister said, adding that budgetary support was guaranteed to achieve this goal.

The Prime Minister said the government would “consider and act upon” the Hema Committee’s recommendation to set up a judicial tribunal for disputes in cinema and television. The government will also go ahead with the drafting of the Kerala Cine Employers and Employees (Regulation) Act. However, a decision on the implementation of the Kerala Cinema Regulatory Authority Bill will be taken after a detailed study as it involves huge initial costs and also recurring costs every year, he said.