Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 2: Government exempted Cinema Halls located in Malls and Multiplexes from payment of Entertainment Tax for next three months.
According to the order issued, Commissioner Secretary Finance Department has exempted Cinema Halls and Multiplexes from payment of J&K Entertainment Duty Act.
“In exercise of powers conferred by sub-Section (3) of Section 11 of the Jammu and Kashmir Entertainment Duty Act, 1959 (Act No XXVIII of 1959) and in continuation of notification SRO 122 dated March 31, 2016, the Government hereby exempt Cinema Halls located in Malls and Multiplexes from payment of duty leviable under the said Act upto June 30, 2016”, the order reads.
Meanwhile, J&K Cinema & Multiplex Association held a meeting under the chairmanship of its President Rajan Gupta.
In the meeting, the participants said that the decision will go a long way in the smooth functioning of the Cinema Halls and Multiplexes in the State.
He informed that an order was issued by Excise Commissioner to Cinema Halls and Multiplexes in J&K on March 30 stating that 50 per cent Entertainment Tax will be imposed on them from April 1 onwards as the 10 years time for exemption of the Entertainment Tax has been completed this year in the month of March.
“Levying Entertainment Tax will not only affect the working of the cinema halls and multiplexes but will also create difficulties for the people, who love to visit cinemas and multiplexes as they will have to purchase the tickets on higher rates as compared to March 31, when the tax was not imposed”, Gupta stated.
Accordingly the Association submitted a representation to the Governor and Commissioner Secretary Finance Department, Gupta added.
“The Entertainment Tax exempted by Governor and Commissioner Secretary Finance Department has provided a sigh of relief to the owners of Cinemas and Multiplexes”, Gupta said, adding that exemption of Entertainment Tax will also boost the influx of visitors to Cinema Halls and Multiplexes.
On behalf of Association, Gupta expressed gratitude to the Governor NN Vohra and Commissioner Secretary Finance Department Navin K Choudhary for exempting the Entertainment Tax.
Among others present were Baldev Sharma, Sourav Choudhary, Tarun Sharma, Karan Mengi, Ravindra and Mr Bhatia.
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