``Since many channels are unused, it shouldn't be difficult for the government to part one exclusively for Films Division, which has had a large library of short films since its inception. I'm sure sponsors will also come forward for meaningful documentaries. The proposed channel will also provide an outlet for private documentary and short film-makers, who are looking for resources and release outlets,'' Bankim added.

Films Division currently brings out 26 documentaries and an equal number of news magazines every year. It makes short feature films, the production of which has shot up to twelve this year as against three to four in the previous year. In addition, FD also makes eight to ten video films on Beta, said Bankim.

"It is a pity thatDoordarshan is unable to show documentaries on the national network because of low advertisement support. Unlike Films Division, Doordarshan is a commercial set-up. Our products have no entertainment value like the serials on Doordarshan. Yet there is a large section of people in the country which is craving for information and educational films. People are watching Discovery channel and National Geographic. The FD channel will also become equally popular,'' he said.

The government's allocation for Films Division is only Rs 20 crore per year. Out of this, only Rs 70 lakh is earmarked for making documentaries. Nearly 70 per cent of the short feature films are made by outsiders, while the remaining 30 per cent are in-house productions. The ratio for documentaries, however, is different: 60 per cent of them are in-house productions, while 40 per cent are made by outsiders.

``Though there's a rule that all government departments belonging to various ministries should channelise their films through FilmsDivision, only the Ministry of Defence and Family Welfare entrust their work to FD. I have also written to secretaries of various ministries asking them to utilise our set-up for making documentaries, but they allot work only to private producers for reasons best known to them. However, we have enough work to utilise the manpower we have,'' he observed.

Films Division has also submitted a proposal to the government to convert the biennal International Film Festival of documentaries into a yearly event and increase the expenditure on the festival.