The minister said the virutal monopoly of mafia elements over the Indian film industry had resulted in capable and more creative people shying away from active participation in various aspects of film-making.

Naqvi said various government and non governmental organisations would be entrusted the task of identifying those `agents' directly or indirectly working towards degeneration of the film industry. He said other efforts towards weeding out mafia-black money from the film industry included a proposal to grant industry status to enable film makers to tap institutional sources for finance.

Also, the National Film Development Corporation would be asked to step in and ease the problem of funding. Legitimate financing would be actively supported to enter thefilm world, he added.

Naqvi said mafia elements had increased their stranglehold over the film industry. He appealed to the talented and nationalistic sections of the film industry to support the government in its bid to rid the industry from the clutches of the mafia.