Taxing Times Continue For Cine-goers In Tamil Nadu

Film buffs in Tamil Nadu will have to make do without their regular does of cine-bliss as the Tamil Nadu Theatre Owners and Distributors Association on Sunday (2 July) decided to stick to its decision and indefinitely cancel all film shows in the state from today (3 July).

As per a report in The Hindu, around 1000 theatres in the state will remain shut starting today until the issue of the levy of additional local body taxes over and above the Goods and Services Tax (GST) is sorted.

“With the GST and additional local taxes, it would be unviable for us to operate the theatres. The taxes have come into effect from July 1. We urge the government not to levy local body taxes and also consider increasing the ticket prices which have not been raised for about 15 years,” said president of Tamil Nadu Theatre Owners and Distributors Association, Abirami Ramanathan.

The office bearers of the association who met the Chief Minister, Finance Minister, Commercial Taxes Minister and Chief Secretary over the issue on Saturday, want the ticket prices in the state which are currently capped at Rs 50 for single screens, Rs 120 for multiplexes with three or more screens to range from Rs 50 to Rs 200. The government having heard the issue was likely to announce its decision by Monday but over 1000 theatres would continue to remain shut until ‘a favourable resolution, over 1,000 theatres would be shut down indefinitely’ added Ramanathan.