State Refusing To Take Responsibility For Smooth Functioning Of Bengali Film Industry, Trying To Wash Its Hands Off: Calcutta High Court
'It appears that the political parties are heavily upon the State, and the Principal Secretary is also not in a position to take a decision in the matter,' the court said.
The Calcutta High Court has criticised the state government for failing to resolve an impasse between cinema actors, directors and producers in the Bengali Film Industry, Tollywood, and movie technicians, and other workers' unions.
Justice Amrita Sinha noted that the state had declined to take any responsibility in the matter, in petitions by various prominent film makers from the industry.
"From the tenor of the submissions made by the parties it appears that the State intends to wash its hands off. The State denies taking any responsibility to ensure that the industry functions smoothly. It appears that the political parties are heavily upon the State and the Principal Secretary is also not in a position to take a decision in the matter," the court held.
Filmmakers from the industry have alleged that unions of Cine techicians and workers had made it difficult for them to function in the state for well over a year.
According to the Hindustan Times, TMC leader Swarup Biswas, the younger brother of cabinet minister Aroop Biswas, is president of the Cine Technicians' Workers of Eastern India (FCTWEI).
Although the High Court had earlier directed that the state government hold a meeting with all parties, the same had only been done by the state with one party at a time, explaining that it was under no obligation to resolve the impasse.
Accordingly, the High Court dismissed the writ petition.
Case: Bidula Bhattacharjee -versus- State of West Bengal & Ors.
Case No: W.P.A. 3089 of 2025