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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINSITRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING
RAJYASABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3289
TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.03.2026
SUPPORT/CARE FOR AGING AND AILING WORKERS/TECHNICIANS FROM
FILM AND ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRIES
3289 : SHRI R. GIRIRAJAN:
Will the Minister of INFORMATION & BROADCASTING be pleased to state:
(a) whether the entertainment sector contributes significantly to India's GDP and
employment, adding ₹5.1 lakh crore in gross output and has created over 26 lakh jobs, if
so, the details thereof;
(b) whether Government has undertaken any welfare measures exclusively to support/care
aging and ailing workers/technicians from film and entertainment industries; and
(c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING AND
PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS
(Dr. L. MURUGAN)
(a) to (c): The Media and Entertainment (M&E) sector, including films, television and online
curated content, contributes significantly to India’s economy and employment generation.
The Government had enacted the Cine-Workers and Cinema Theatre Workers (Regulation of
Employment) Act, 1981 to provide financial assistance and welfare measures for cine workers
including for the ailing and aging cine workers. However, this Act has now been subsumed
into the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020, which broadens the
scope and refines the definition.
Under this new Code, the term "Audio-Visual Worker" is now used instead of cine workers.
The definition includes individuals employed directly or through contractors in connection
with the production of audio-visual content, such as feature films, television, web-based serials,
and even reality and sports shows. It is important to note that the provisions of this new Code
provide better safety, health, and working conditions for all types of audio-visual workers,
through comprehensive regulations.
Also, On the social front, Cine Artist Welfare Fund of India (CAWFI), a public Charitable
Trust, was formed out of a portion of profit earned from the film Gandhi in the year 1991. The
National Film Development Corporation Limited is acting as the settlor to this Fund. The trust
strives to extend financial assistance to cine artists above 50 years of age. Currently, CAWFI
grants monthly assistance to about 400 beneficiaries.
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