03 June,2017 11:21 AM IST | | Bharati Dubey
CBFC chief Pahlaj Nihalani, producers make a midnight representation to Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis to reduce tax slab for cinema services to 18 per cent
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Pahlaj Nihalani at the meeting on Monday
Days after mid-day reported about the film industry's disapproval of the inclusion of cinema services, including the price of tickets, under the 28 per cent tax bracket in the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime, it is now learnt that producer and Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) chief Pahlaj Nihalani met with chief minister Devendra Fadnavis to discuss the concern.
In a meeting that was held late night on Thursday, Nihalani, along with other film producers, including NR Pachisia, Ramesh Taurani and Vijay Galani, appealed for a reduction in the tax slab to 18 per cent. He says Fadnavis assured the team that the topic would be presented in the GST meeting set to take place in Delhi today.
Nihalani, who along with industry folk submitted a memorandum that highlighted their request, tells mid-day, "We are thankful to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis for meeting us at such a short notice. State finance minister Sudhir Mungatiwar was also present in the meeting. The NDA government has always been supportive of the film industry. It was this government that even recognised us as an industry."
Nihalani claims he will continue to stand by the governments One Nation One Tax slogan, which calls for a uniform tax rate to be levied across all Indian states, and will push for cinema services to be included in the 12-18 per cent bracket.
He also raised concerned about regional cinemas, which would be affected if the 28 per cent tax rate wasn't reduced. "We have requested the government not to change the tax structure for Marathi cinema. Stars from the regional film industry are also meeting their respective governments. I heard that Kamal Haasan has met the Kerala chief minister on Friday. He and Rajinikanth had earlier met the Tamil Nadu government as well."
Touted as the biggest tax reform in India, GST was expected to lower the tax burden for the industry, which has witnessed tough times recently.
