Cnemas, coaching centres to remain closed in Ranchi

The Jharkhand state disaster management department through a notification on Thursday allowed most establishments, except public parks, coaching institutes, cinema halls, and swimming pools, to operate. This has disappointed the owners of multiplexes, cinema halls, and coaching institutes. 

The notification issued by the chief secretary allowed schools to conduct offline classes with the consent of the parents for Class X and XII students from Monday. The same order also allowed medical, dental, and nursing colleges outside containment zones to hold classes from the same date while adhering to the safety guidelines issued by the UGC. Permission has also been granted to Sri Krishna Institute of Public Administration, State Institute of Rural Development, Police Training College, Forest Training School, and Jharkhand State Sports Promotion Society to conduct classes from Monday in compliance with guidelines issued by the department of personnel and training, Government of India.

Thursday’s notification also allowed the shooting of films to resume but sans the presence of spectators. Notably, Tapasee Pannu-starrer Bollywood movie ‘Rashmi Rocket’ was being shot at the Birsa Munda football stadium from Friday.

Expressing his disappointment with the notification, Vimal Kumar of Fun Cinemas said that they have given representation to the chief minister and state officials twice. “The multiplexes that have a pan-India presence are in a better position because their business is going on in other cities but it has become increasingly difficult for the local chains and franchisee holders to manage the finances in the wake of closure for more than nine months,” he said.

An official of PVR Cinemas said that multiplexes have been allowed to operate in all other states. “We have given in writing our consent to abide by government safety guidelines, but no one is listening to us,” the official said, unwilling to be quoted.

Similar discontent was expressed by the association of coaching institutes, which is now planning to hold a stir. The joint secretary of Jharkhand Coaching Association, S D Mishra, said that around 30% of the coaching institutes have already closed down as they were unable to pay the rents. “We have decided to stage protests all over the state because if schools can operate with parents’ consent, so can the coaching institutes,” he said.

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