Restrictions on powers of licensing authority

(I) The licensing authority shall not grant a licence under this Act unless it is satisfied that

(a) the rules made under this Act have been substantially complied with; and

(b) adequate precautions have been taken in the place in respect of which the licence is to be given, to provide for the safety of persons attending exhibitions therein.

(2) Subject to the foregoing provisions of this section and to the control of the State Government, the licensing authority may grant licences under this Act to such person as that authority thinks fit and on such terms and conditions and subject to such restrictions as it may determine,

(3) Any person aggrieved by the decision of a licensing authority refusing to grant a licence under this Act may within such time as may be prescribed, appeal to the State Government or to such officer as the State Government may specify in this behalf and the State Government or the Officer, as the case may be, may make such order in the case as they or he thinks fit.

(4) The State Government may, from time to time, issue directions to licensees generally or to any licensee in particular for the purpose of regulating the exhibition of any film or class of films so that scientific films, intended for educational purposes, films dealing with news and current events, documentary films or indigenous films secure an adequate opportunity of being exhibited and where any such directions have been issued those directions shall be deemed to be additional conditions and restrictions subject to which the licence has been granted.

Explanation-For the purposes of this sub-section “indigenous films” include films in Oriya language produced outside the State of Orissa but do not include films in language produced outside the State of Orissa but do not include films in languages other than Oriya and films dubbed in Oriya language whether produced inside or outside the State of Orissa.