IFFI:25 films for Indian Panorama section to be screened

International Film Festival of India IFFI has announced the selection of 25 Feature films and 20 Non-Feature films for the Indian Panorama section for its 52nd edition in Goa. The selected films will be screened during the film festival to be held from 20th to 28th November in Goa. A total of 25 Feature films and 20 Non-Feature films have been selected to be screened during IFFI. The Feature Film Jury, comprising 12 members, was headed by acclaimed Filmmaker and actor, S V Rajendra Singh Babu. The Non – Feature Jury was headed by documentary Film maker S. Nallamuthu. The primary aim of the Indian Panorama is to select the feature and non-feature films of cinematic, thematic, and aesthetic excellence under different categories.The festival is being organized by the Directorate of Film Festivals of India, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in collaboration with Goa government. 

-The government has issued a Draft Mediation Bill for Public Consultation. The draft Bill proposes for pre-litigation mediation and at the same time safeguards the interest of the litigants to approach the competent adjudicatory forums and courts in case an urgent relief is sought. As per the draft Bill, the successful outcome of mediation in the form of the Mediation Settlement Agreement has been made enforceable by law. Since the Mediation Settlement Agreement is out of the consensual agreement between the parties, the challenge to the same has been permitted on limited grounds.As per the draft bill, the mediation process protects the confidentiality of the mediation undertaken and provides for immunity in certain cases against its disclosure. The draft bill also says that registration of Mediation Settlement Agreement has been provided for with State, District and Taluk Legal Authorities within 90 days to ensure maintenance of authenticated records of the settlement so arrived. It also provides for the establishment of the Mediation Council of India. The Ministry said that as a part of the pre-legislative consultation process, a copy of the Draft Bill has been uploaded on the website of the Department of Legal Affairs for comments.

-In Bihar, 29 people have died in illegal hooch tragedy in Gopalganj and West Champaran districts of the state. While 17 people have died in Gopalganj, 12 people have been reported dead in the Bettiah area of West Champaran.It is said that the men had consumed liquor Tuesday night. According to  Gopalganj SP Anand Kumar 19 people have been arrested in this regard.SHO of Mahmadpur police station of Gopalganj district and SHO of Nautan police station of West Champaran have been suspended.Expressing grief over the tragic incident Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said a thorough investigation will be conducted. Those found guilty of supplying spurious liquor will not be spared. Kumar said he will review the situation arising out after the illegal hooch tragedy.

-In Kerala, a ministerial team in Tamil Nadu, led by state Water Resources Minister Durai Murugan, visited the Mullaperiyar Dam on Friday. Later speaking to media in Thekkady,  Durai Murugan said the water level will be raised to 152 ft in the dam, once the strengthening of the baby dam of the Mullperiyar reservoir is completed. Tamil Nadu has approached Kerala to remove some trees causing impediments for strengthening the baby dam. Meanwhile, reports said DMK workers who were accompanying the ministers,  were stopped by the Tamil Nadu Police from reaching Kerala.

-Delhi government has approved  Rs1,544 crore for health facilities to combat COVID-19. The decision was taken at Cabinet meeting chaired by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. In another decision, the government also approved induction of 190 Low Floor CNG buses under the Cluster Scheme. These buses will be equipped with facilities like CCTVs and panic buttons and would be fully compliant with BS-VI emission standards.