Delhi High Court stays Centre’s order sacking NFDC chief Nina Lath Gupta

As per reports, the Delhi High Court has ordered a stay on the Centre’s decision to sack Managing Director of the National Film Development Corporation Nina Lath Gupta. The court ordered the stay “last week”, the report said, quoting unidentified officials. Order copy is not yet available on the Delhi High Court website.

As per the reports, Nina Lath Gupta, reported back at work on Friday. She has been in the position since 2006.

On February 27, 2018 the Information and Broadcasting Ministry had fired Ms. Gupta for alleged irregularities and for not following “prescribed procedures” while running NFDC. The ministry had asked Gupta to leave “with immediate effect”, without letting her serve the three months’ notice period. Instead, it decided to pay her three months’ salary, as has been reported in the media.

The ministry’s primary reason for firing Gupta was reportedly that the National Film Development Corporation was charging high commissions to conduct government events.

Gupta also allegedly released advertisements to a few private channels beyond the 5% limit prescribed in the Electronic Media Policy. Under her charge, the National Film Development Corporation was also accused of not refunding a 15% commission to ministries that issue advertisements through it. She also allegedly did not follow the process of using funds to restore films, as has been reported.

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