In a much-needed intervention, the Pondicherry Municipality has come out with a set of rules streamlining the functioning of adventure sports and entertainment activities to ensure safety of participants and plug tax evasion by those involved in organising events within the limits of the urban body.
In addition to the existing provisions of the Pondicherry Municipalities Act, 1973 and the Pondicherry Municipalities (Places of Public Resort and Entertainment) Rules, 1980, the Municipality has framed the Pondicherry Municipality By-laws for granting permission and Licence ( Entertainment and Trade) for Entertainment Activities, 2024, for effective monitoring of various sporting and entertainments events.
“When we enacted the relevant legislation in 1973 and 1980, many modern-day sporting events, leisure activities, land/air rides and adventure games were non-existent. In recent years, we are seeing a lot of land and sea-based entertainment activities being organised by individuals and private groups in Puducherry town, who function without any permission and evade paying taxes. It also raises questions on the security of participants,” said an official.
Those activities that would come under the purview of the new rules, include cinematograph exhibition, performance of any nature, games, amusement activities like rides, dramatic or music performance, land and sea-based adventure sports, use of gaming devices, bowling alleys, amusement arcades and any form of activity that holds attention and interest of audience or a task that amuses or entertains public.
As per the new rules, no entertainment activity will be allowed without obtaining the written permission of the Commissioner. Organisers of events after getting written permission should pay a fee ranging from ₹5,000 to ₹10,000 to the Municipality for obtaining the licence.
Entertainment tax
The by-law has fixed an entertainment tax of 10% on the ticket value or 25% on the entry fee, whichever is higher. If audience were to be found without tickets during inspection, the owner/ organiser of the event would be made liable. Violations of any rule would invite huge penalty, said an official.
The Municipality will also restrict holding entertainment and adventure sports in parks, urban forests, natural waterbodies, residential sector (subject to fulfilment of conditions laid at the time of issuing permission), places of religious significance and hospitals. Activities that indulge in nudity, propagating hatred, drugs and violence will also be prohibited.
Commissioner of Pondicherry Municipality M. Kandasamy said a robust and transparent system for providing approvals will be put in place. The civic body was planning to introduce IT enabled system to issue online permits and ensure monitoring of events.
“We will be putting the by-laws on our website for the public to raise suggestions and objections. They could send in their suggestions to the Commissioner’s office, Marie Building, Dumas Street. Valid inputs will be taken for consideration,” he said.
Published - January 30, 2025 09:13 pm IST
