MUMBAI: Lambasting the Maharashtra government, the Bombay high court on Tuesday sought to know the basis for the rule to bar cast and crew above the age of 65 fro m film and TV show sets.
The question about data and parameters was posed by a bench of Justices Shahrukh Kathawalla and Riyaz Chagla while hearing a petition by film and TV artiste Pramod Pandey (70). Pandey had challenged the state guideline on age for the media entertainment industry under its Mission Begin Again initiative.
When government pleader Poornima Kantharia replied that the age limit was fixed according to the lockdown circulars, the judges pointed out the state has allowed 30% of staff at private offices without any age restriction.
Answer all our questions on age rule, HC tells govt
Also, there is no such restriction on those allowed to travel in trains, buses and planes. “A person cannot be deprived of his livelihood. He wants to earn and is not allowed to earn. You deprive him of his meals...Are you going to feed him?” asked Justice Kathawalla, and pointed out that the crew includes junior artistes who earn around Rs 600 a day. “And here we have a municipal commissioner who says everything is okay in Bombay (sic).” Pandey’s advocate Ashok Saraogi said his client has worked in the film and TV industry for 40 years.
The judges said they want a “detailed” affidavit in reply from the state explaining “how a physically fit person who is 65 years or above is expected to live a dignified life if he is not allowed to-...earn his livelihood”. It should also state whether “any data/report/statistics” was considered before issuing the age restriction and “whether similar rule is made applicable for those travelling in trains, trains, buses, aircraft”, attending shops/offices, and attendings funerals and weddings. “Answer all our questions,” said Justice Kathawalla.
The question about data and parameters was posed by a bench of Justices Shahrukh Kathawalla and Riyaz Chagla while hearing a petition by film and TV artiste Pramod Pandey (70). Pandey had challenged the state guideline on age for the media entertainment industry under its Mission Begin Again initiative.
When government pleader Poornima Kantharia replied that the age limit was fixed according to the lockdown circulars, the judges pointed out the state has allowed 30% of staff at private offices without any age restriction.
Answer all our questions on age rule, HC tells govt
Also, there is no such restriction on those allowed to travel in trains, buses and planes. “A person cannot be deprived of his livelihood. He wants to earn and is not allowed to earn. You deprive him of his meals...Are you going to feed him?” asked Justice Kathawalla, and pointed out that the crew includes junior artistes who earn around Rs 600 a day. “And here we have a municipal commissioner who says everything is okay in Bombay (sic).” Pandey’s advocate Ashok Saraogi said his client has worked in the film and TV industry for 40 years.
The judges said they want a “detailed” affidavit in reply from the state explaining “how a physically fit person who is 65 years or above is expected to live a dignified life if he is not allowed to-...earn his livelihood”. It should also state whether “any data/report/statistics” was considered before issuing the age restriction and “whether similar rule is made applicable for those travelling in trains, trains, buses, aircraft”, attending shops/offices, and attendings funerals and weddings. “Answer all our questions,” said Justice Kathawalla.
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