The 26th Conference of State and UT Ministers of Information and Cinematography, SIMCON XXVI, begins in New Delhi tomorrow. On the first day of the two-day Conference, Secretary level deliberations will be held. The ministerial proceedings will be conducted under the Chairmanship of Minister of Information & Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs, Shri P. R. Dasmunsi on the second day.

On the agenda are, the major issues in the broadcast sector like proposed ‘Broadcasting Services Regulation Bill’, role of State Governments in CAS roll out in the country, popularizing community radio and appointment of district level monitoring committees on broadcasting content. Measures to curb piracy of films and rationalization of entertainment tax are high on the agenda in the film sector issues whereas amendments to the Press and Registration Books (PRB) Act 1867 and further felicitation of newspapers at the Central and the State level are the major topics in the information sector. Various proposals made by the State Governments and UT Administrations on different issues would also be taken up for wider deliberations.

Chief Ministers of Haryana, Delhi, Lt. Governors of Arunachal Pradesh, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, and Information Ministers from various States are expected to take part in the discussions besides presence of high-level officials at the Secretary level discussions. SIMCON XXV was held in April 2005.