'Neerja, 'Jai Gangaajal' go tax-free in Madhya Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh Government today announced waiving off entertainment tax on Bollywood films Neerja and Jai Gangaajal which are based on women-centric issues.

"The movies Neerja and Jai Gangaajal will be free from entertainment tax in Madhya Pradesh on account of International Women's Day which was celebrated yesterday," Finance Minister Jayant Malaiya said in his reply to a debate on the budgetary demands in the Legislative Assembly.

Neerja, directed by Ram Madhvani with Sonam Kapoor playing the lead, revolves around an attempt by terrorists to hijack Pan Am Flight 73 in Karachi in 1986, which was thwarted due to the exemplary courage displayed by head purser Neerja Bhanot.

Jai Gangaajal, directed by Prakash Jha, is a sequel to the 2003 crime film Gangaajal, and stars Priyanka Chopra in the lead role.

Malaiya further told the House that revenue collection from commercial tax is expected to be around Rs 23,350 crore during FY16 as against Rs 3,952 crore in 2003-04. "Despite the economic slowdown, we have collected 9 per cent more commercial tax by January 16 than the corresponding time of the last fiscal," the finance minister said.

He said the government will levy six per cent Entry Tax on goods to offset the loss caused to state exchequer due to e-commerce.

Malaiya announced that the personnel of Army, BSF will get hefty tax concession on purchases from canteens. "The tax (on canteen items) is going to be 4% instead of 15%," he added.