'Lage Raho Munna Bhai' tax-free in UP

Lucknow, Oct 10 (UNI) The Uttar Pradesh government today decided to waive Entertainment Tax (ET) on Hindi blockbuster 'Lage Raho Munna Bhai' in the state for three months.

A meeting of the state cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav, approved the decision, which was made after relaxing the norms to waive the ET.

Sources said the decision was arrived at as the film propogates 'ahimsa' (non-violence) and 'Gandhiwad' (Gandhian principles).

Since the country needs 'Gandhiwad' today, the ET exemption on the Vinod Chopra Films Pvt Ltd product is justified, the sources added.

Presently, UP waives ET over seven point parameters including, if over 50 per cent shooting is canned in the state or the film has been awarded in national/international festival, besides projecting any important theme prevailing in the society.

Earlier on Sunday, a three-member committee headed by Principal Secretary Tourism watched the film to give their recommendations.

The film has already become popular in the country with people resorting to 'Gandhiwad' in their protests by distributing flowers instead of taking to violent means.

Delhi and Maharashtra had already exempted the tax on the film.

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