Cinemas in Assam gasp for breath despite reopening nod

GUWAHATI: Despite the government’s nod to reopen the cinemas with 50% occupancy in the state, maximum halls have remained shut electricity is yet to be restored and machines are in need of servicing or repairs.
At least 12 out of 78 halls in the state reopened on Monday while eight are closed permanently and others are yet to open.
Anuradha cinema owner Chinmoy Sharma, who is also the president of the All Assam Cinema Hall Owners’ Association, said electricity connection to many halls was disconnected by the power department for non-payment of dues and penalty on top of that.
“The fixed charge for a cinema is around Rs 25,000 to Rs 30,000 per month and the penalty on that is around Rs 7,000 to Rs 10,000 per month. The halls have remained shut for the past 18 months. The dues for the said period have gone sky high. The electricity connection to many halls has been disconnected for non-payment of the aforesaid dues,” he said.
The association, therefore, urged the government for a waiver in the dues to the hall owners. “How would the hall owners pay the dues after remaining shut for 18 months? At least 15 out of 78 halls are about to die as the owners will not be able to pay the dues. Twelve halls have reopened today (Monday) and at least eight halls have closed permanently. We have urged power minister Bimal Borah to consider the matter and give a waiver so that the halls can survive,” he added.
Meanwhile, the association has also demanded a relief package for the halls.