VIJAYAWADA: With the rolling out of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) from midnight of June 30, the State government is contemplating revising the movie ticket rates accordingly.
Chief Secretary Dinesh Kumar held review meeting with officials of revenue, IT, Home and Information and Public Relations (I&PR) on Thursday.
The Committee discussed the possible rates while ensuring that watching a movie did not become dearer. Categories such as AC, non-AC, rural and urban, multiplex and single screen theatres were taken into consideration in deciding the hike. The final report is, however, yet to be prepared.
Movie tickets were placed in the GST’s highest slab of 28%. However, amid representations from the regional film industry, the GST Council decided to reduce the tax on tickets below ₹100 to 18% from the previously fixed rate of 28%. Tickets price above ₹100, however stay at the same rate.
The exorbitant rates of soft drinks and snacks at the multiplexes also came up for discussion. The CS directed the Licensing Authority — joint collector, police and others — to take action immediately. He also wanted the Authorities to check safety and sanitation aspects in the theatres. They must sconduct periodical inspections, he said.
Saying the Supreme Court had mandated to play the national anthem before exhibiting the film, Mr. Dinesh Kumar asked the officials to ensure that the theatres complied with the orders. He also wanted the Andhra Pradesh State Film, Television And Theatre Development Corporation (APSFTTDC) to prepare news reels on welfare schemes and developmental works of the State government. The news reels could be exhibited during interval and before exhibiting the film, he said.
Special Chief Secretary (Revenue) D. Sambasiva Rao, Principal Secretary (IT) Vijayanand, Principal Secretary (Home) A.R. Anuradha, Information Commissioner and APSFTTDC Managing Director S. Venkateshwar, Information and Public Relations Additional Director Malladi Krishnand and others were present.