Announcing this at a news conference here this evening, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Haren Pandya said the district authorities concerned had been directed to ensure effective implementation of the ban on Fashion TV and book those found violating it.

Pandya said the authorities were also instructed to check the screening of obscene films and programmes in cinema halls and video parlours throughout the State. "The government action comes in the wake of a recent meeting of the Assembly's Estimate Committee where members expressed serious concern at the telecast of obscene programmes on Fashion TV and screening of vulgar films in cinema halls and video parlours," he said.

Besides the district authorities, the government has also directed the police commissioners of major cities in the State to ensure effective implementation of the ban on obscene TV programmes and films which "corrupt young minds ", he said. It was found that certain cinema houses doctored the original print and added bits "blue films".

The minister said it was also decided to incorporate some new regulations in the licenses and rergistration renewal papers being issued to cinema house and video parlour owners and cable operators, which would help check the screening of vulgar films and programmes. The newly formulated regulations which the licensing authorities have been asked to implement vigorously are: no cinema house, video parlour or cable TV operator will be allowed to show obscene and objectionable films and programmes, they will not screen films/TV programmes glorifying violence and the films and TV programmes encouraging social evils and communal violence will not be permitted.

Responding to a query, Pandya said the State Youth Services and Cultural Activities Department has been asked to monitor and check the staging of vulgar and obscene Gujarati plays in different parts of the State. He said following the Centre's directive, the Gujarat Government had lifted the ban on the Pakistan Television (PTV) in the State. The ban on PTV had been imposed during the recent Kargil conflict.