There are 633 single-screen theatres in the state, including 24 in Pune.
On account of their long-pending demands, the Cinema Owners and Exhibitors Association of India (COEAI), Mumbai, the Cine Circuit Association and the Marathwada Chitrapat Association have shut down single-screen theatres all over Maharashtra for a week starting from March 25.
There are 633 single-screen theatres in the state, including 24 in the city.
Vikram Chavan, deputy president of COEAI, said on Friday, “Since 1993 we have been demanding cancellation of entertainment tax and minor taxes such as advertising tax and show tax, but our demands have fallen on deaf ears. The closure is not a strike but an eye-opener for the state government. We have been promised that there will be a meeting with the chief minister and the deputy chief minister of the state within 15 days.”
Chavan added that while six states have exempted single-screen theatres from entertainment tax, theatres in Pune are charged 40% entertainment tax.
“The local civic bodies are increasing show taxes unnecessarily. While the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) used to charge Rs100 as show tax per screening, it is planning to increase it to Rs200 per show. They are also taxing film banners, terming them as hoardings advertising films,” he said.
Deepak Kudale, former president of COEAI, said, “According to the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act, 1966, we cannot start any other commercial activity on our premises as 1/3 of our total area should be reserved for the theatre. Since it is economically not viable for small properties, we have asked the government to remove the restriction. We have the right to do any business and this is infringement of our rights.”
Sadanand Mohol, president of COEAI, said, “To keep up with multiplexes it’s necessary to include some basic facilities in single-screen theatres but it is not happening due to lack of funds and lack of co-operation from the government and the existing government rules. Piracy is also affecting us. Though there is a law for piracy, enforcement of the law is very important.
Unaffordable rates of electricity, high labour wages are some other problems faced by single-screen theatre owners.”
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