Mollywood's 'most-feared secret' to be revealed on July 25

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The report submitted by the Justice Hema Committee to the government on the problems faced by women in the Malayalam film industry is likely to be released on the 25th of this month. Minister Saji Cherian will discuss the matter with the Secretary of the Culture Department regarding the State RTI Commission's order to release the report.

As per legal advice received, the government will surely see a setback if moved court to stymie the release of the report. RTI Commissioner A. Abdul Hakeem has specified in the order that the fee should be collected from the applicants by July 23, and the information should be provided by July 25. The report of the action taken by the cultural department should be submitted to the commission on July 26.

The Secretary of the Culture Department should ensure that the order is fully implemented. The State Public Information Officer and Appellate Authority will have to appear before the commission on July 27 if the government continues the delay. The Hema Committee report, which recorded the statements and witness statements of about 60 women related to the film sector, was handed over to the Chief Minister on 31 December 2019.

Allegations went rife that the government was hesitant to reveal the findings and take remedial measures. The Internal Grievance Redressal Committee came into existence only after the WCC obtained a favourable order from the High Court.

The culture department decided to appoint a committee headed by the secretary of the film academy to study the report, but some trouble crept in after the academy couldn’t access the report. This was in fear of the report getting leaked to the media.