Opposition raises issue of local body tax on film tickets in TN assembly
Besides the local tax, a GST of 18 per cent has been fixed for tickets priced below Rs 100 and 28 per cent for those above Rs 100.
Chennai, July 4: The issue of local body tax on film tickets in addition to GST over which more than 1,000 cinema halls in Tamil Nadu are shut was on Tuesday raised in the state assembly by the opposition with the government saying it was working on a solution.
DMK Deputy Leader Durai Murugan said that more than 1,000 cinema theatres remained shut across the state opposing the 30 per cent local body tax.
"The cinema industry representatives had met the Chief Minister K Palanisamy on Monday but still theatres are shut. Why?" he asked.
Congress Legislature Party leader K R Ramasamy also raised the issue.
Responding, Municipal Administration Minister S P Velumani assured that the government would give due consideration to problems of all sections of people.
He recalled the meeting of industry representatives with Palanisamy and said that the Chief Minister was trying to find a way out on this issue.
"Talks are going on," the Minister added.
Going ahead with their strike announced on June 30 on the eve of GST rollout, the exhibitors have shut their halls citing their 'inability' to pay both taxes.
Besides the local tax, a GST of 18 per cent has been fixed for tickets priced below Rs 100 and 28 per cent for those above Rs 100.
"We are against the Corporation (entertainment) Tax which is 30 per cent. This is in addition to the GST rates (of upto 28 per cent). We are not against the GST. We welcome it," Tamil Nadu Theatre Owners and Distributors Association President Abhirami Ramanathan had said yesterday.
Representatives of the association and others, including South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce, South Indian Artistes' Association and Tamil Film Producers Council, had met the Chief Minister over the tax issue.
They had also called on state Finance Minister D Jayakumar, who had assured them that the government was with them and the matter required a decision at policy level.
PTI