Port Blair, Jan 30: The Andaman Association of Tour Operators (AATO) has demanded for simplification of procedures for obtaining permission for obtaining permissions for film shooting in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
In a letter addressed to the Lt. Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Mr. M Vinod the president of AATO mentioned that Andaman & Nicobar Islands have immense potential for film shooting owning to its rich natural and historical heritage.
“However not many films have been shot in these islands in the recent past. The IP&T has a portal for online application for shooting permission but it has errors and does not work. Also, the contact information displayed in the portal does not work properly. Many members of our association get enquiries from film producers regarding obtaining permission for shooting, but due to the absence of information regarding film shoots and proper laid down guidelines, the film makers refrain from shooting in Andaman,” Mr. M Vinod said.
In view of this, AATO has requested the Lt. Governor to consider some suggestions for promotion of film shoots in Andaman, which are; The online permission portal may be upgraded immediately and should be made error free. The missing contents and list of support providers may be updated; NOC from various departments should be kept bare minimum to save time and simplify the permission procedure; With the popularity of web series & short films, many small-time film makers intend to carry out shoots in small scale. Such shoots with maximum of 10 crew may be exempted from taking permissions when shooting in tourist places and an intimation to the concerned Police station & IP&T may be made mandatory; The department website mentions requirement of RAP for foreign crew. Since RAP has been abolished the clause may be removed from the IP&T website; A FAM tour of the Producers guild may be conducted in these Islands; Promotion for film shoot may be done in tourist trade fairs and Dept. of IP&T may act as a nodal agency and issue single window clearance to all film shoot applications within 07 to 10 Days
In his letter Mr. Vinod further mentioned that the internet, especially Youtube is full of videos shot in Andamans, some videos do have Drone footage. Most of these shoots have been done without obtaining permissions. To avoid such practice and encourage producers to shoot in Andaman, a simplified and responsive permission procedure may be adopted.
“On behalf of AATO & the tourism fraternity I would request you to consider our above-mentioned suggestions and implement them so that more and more film producers may choose Andaman Islands as their shooting destination. This will not only develop Andaman as a tourist destination, but also create opportunities for the local youth of these islands,” he added.
