MUMBAI: The archives of Films Division and National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) will be converted into digital format by 31 March 2007. 

The information & broadcasting (I & B) and parliamentary affairs minister P R Dasmunsi has made the announcement at the Consultative Committee yesterday. The consultative committee is attached to the I & B ministry.

According to Dasmunsi, the film archives are part of the India's heritage and money will be no constraint in the preservation of these treasures.

The NFDC had produced several highly acclaimed films over the years and the issue of strengthening its financial base will be taken up to enable it to sponsor at least 2-3 films every year, Dasmunsi says. 

He added that this had become necessary in view of the increased costing of film production and says, "Films export and the promotion of children's films will also be high on the NFDC agenda."
The members were unanimous in suggesting that the strengths of Films Division and NFDC needs to be utilized to bring about awareness among new generation about Indian history, culture and freedom struggle. 

Some members wanted to know whether the government could make it mandatory for private TV channels to broadcast the documentary films produced by the Films Division, informs the release. 

One of the members had suggested that classics available with NFDC could be dubbed in other Indian languages and screened in different parts of the country. While, another suggestion made was to provide adequate space to entertainment in NFDC films so that their quality improves and the films generate viewers' interest.

Those who attended the meeting included Kirip Chaliha, S. Mallikarjunaiah, Mahendra Prasad Nishad, Bhartruhari Mahtab, Ramdas Athawale, Vijay J. Darda, Ajay Maroo, Shatrughan Sinha, Dr. Satyanarayan Jetiya, Usha Verma and Nirmala Deshpande - all MPs, besides senior officers of I & B ministry.