NEW DELHI: The Centre has sacked National Film Development Corporation managing director Nina Lath Gupta for allegedly favouring the Sun TV Network. Gupta was appointed managing director by the UPA government in 2006.NFDC mainly receives central funds and various other grants for participating in film festivals and often makes publicity films for government departments. It was constituted under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in 1975 to promote good cinema in the country and involved in film financing, provenduction and distribution. It has produced movies such as Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron, Dharavi and The Making Of Mahatma.A top official central official said in a report that that NFDC ‘flouted’ norms of Directorate of Audio Visual Publicity (DAVP) and Electronic Media Advertising (EMA). An official directive had asked NFDC to facilitate a comprehensive internal audit some years ago. According to officials, the audit revealed NFDC did not maintain proper records and there were ‘over payments’. It was also found Central Vigilance Commission guidelines were not followed before tenders were issued.63119674

The ministry probe found an ‘overpayment’ running into lakhs for Sun TV for the release of TV spots under EMA policy. “There are longestablished procedures and policies followed by DAVP in media planning and monitoring of TV channels which were flouted,” an official said. The enquiry report also said NFDC went out of the way to “favor certain individuals and organisations” while releasing advertisements of client ministries, government departments and PSUs to TV channels.There were also cases of ‘over-invoicing’ to some channels, including the Sun TV Network. In one instance, over-invoicing allegedly exceeded 50%, an official said. Under the EMA policy, NFDC can release ads only to empaneled channels or those recommended by client ministries, departments and PSUs at DAVP rates but NFDC allegedly released TV spots to select TV channels at far higher rates.Two years ago, the home ministry denied security clearance to 33 television channels of Sun TV Network, citing criminal cases against promoter Kalanithi Maran and brother Dayanidhi Maran. The Maran brothers face a CBI probe over alleged allotment of 300 high-speed BSNL telephone lines to the latter’s Chennai residence, and which were extended to his brother’s channel, when he was information technology minister.Apart from this, the Sun TV Network and Kalanithi Maran face CBI probe in the Aircel-Maxis case and an Enforcement Directorate probe on money laundering.