Now pay more for watching ‘entertainment’

Already over burdened with soaring inflation, ‘entertainment tax’ imposed by Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) would make hole in the pocket of residents of State capital after a resolution in this regard was passed during the BMC meeting on Thursday.

With the passing of the resolution one has to pay more for visit to cinema along with other places of entertainment as a resolution to levy additional cess as ‘entertainment tax’ has been passed in the BMC meeting.

The cable TV subscription has been included under the blanket which covers almost all forms of entertainment as the final decision in the matter would be taken after discussion with urban administration and housing development. Along with cable TV subscription Bharat Bhawan, Shaurya Smarak, Van Vihar National Park and a few other public places have not been imposed with cess.

Mayor Alok Sharma provided the rationale behind the whole issued and gave reference of July 9, gazette notification from Urban Administration and Housing Development which states that additional entertainment tax outside the ambit of the GST and as states have empowered local bodies like BMC to levy entertainment tax.

Initially, BMC had proposed a 20 per cent entertainment cess and which was decreased by 5 per cent.  Congress corporators came in apron with demands written over it before Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) meeting on Thursday which witnessed chaos created by Congress after BJP Corporator from ward no 44 and MIC member Manjushree Barkiya submitted her resignation.

Apart from protest before the meeting Mayor Alok Sharma flagged off two fire brigades. The BMC council members were displeased with the flat 15 per cent tax on all cinema halls uniform on all categories and when they raised concern it was decided that it would be discussed.