People can enter theatres after getting first dose of vax, entertainment tax waived, more concessions announced

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Following the permission to open theatres, the state government has announced more concessions in the cinema sector. As part of this, the government has decided to waive the entertainment tax on cinema tickets. The exemption is for the period from April 1 to December 31, 2021. The decision was taken at a ministerial meeting chaired by the Chief Minister.

A discount of 50 percent will be given on electricity fixed charges during the period when theatres were closed. The remaining amount can be paid in 6 installments. The building tax will be completely waived during the period when theaters were closed due to Covid. Applications should be made to the concerned local bodies for this. It has been decided to admit those who have taken a single dose of vaccination to the theatres.

However, in the first phase, 50 percent seating capacity norm will remain. The meeting also decided to convene a meeting of the state-level banking committee to discuss the need for a moratorium on loan repayments of theatre owners and film entrepreneurs.

Current general standards must be met for film shootings. The meeting also asked the Finance Ministry to look into the possibility of providing a special financial assistance package to theatres for the initial cost of opening cinemas. The electricity department was tasked to study and given a decision on the matter in which extra tariff is charged for separate screens at cinemas. Saji Cheriyan, KN Balagopal, MV Govindan Master, Veena George and K Krishnan Kutty were present in the meeting.