Film Exhibitors Write To AP Govt Over Controversial G.O.

The Andhra Pradesh government issued the controversial G.O. 35 just a day before Vakeel Saab’s release. The G.O. had prohibited the exhibitors and distributors to hike Vakeel Saab’s ticket rates. Needless to say, the G.O. has added to the woes of film exhibitors who are already facing numerous hardships following several months of theaters shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many theaters were even closed as the new ticket rates didn’t seem viable.

Yesterday, the Andhra Pradesh State Cine Exhibitors Association had written a letter to the AP government, requesting to reconsider the said G.O. which, they say, has a few “technical issues”, and re-issue a new G.O. based on their suggestions.

In their letter addressed to the AP CM YS Jagan and AP Chief Secretary, the exhibitors mentioned that there was no cap on ticket rates and that they also enjoyed tax-free maintenance charges in the past. However, the tax-free system became non-existent due to the current GST system. So, the exhibitors requested the AP government to issue a fresh G.O. with new ticket rates that include ticket price, maintenance charges and GST. The exhibitors also attached the previous B-form issued by the GST department.

The letter further stated that the exhibitors have equipped their theaters with state-of-the-art technology and facilities in all the B and C centres to match the standards of theaters in A centres. It also stated that there’s no difference in the electricity charges, P.F, E.S.I, maintenance charges and GST for theaters hailing from the A, B and C centres.

The exhibitors urged the ruling YSRCP government to revise the ticket rates at theaters in A centres (Rs 40 plus maintenance charges and taxes for low class, Rs 100 plus maintenance charges and taxes for high class and any price between Rs 40 to 100 plus maintenance charges and taxes for medium class tickets.

The exhibitors’ body has also thanked CM Jagan for waiving off the electricity charges for 3 months during the lockdown last year. They further urged the CM to waive off the electricity charges for another 3 months, as theaters were shutdown for 9 months due to the pandemic.