On Tuesday, the Gujarat government announced a complete waiver of property tax for the owners of multiplexes, cinema halls and gyms from April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022. Trade and exhibitor Akshaye Rathi informs that encouraged by the move, members of Multiplex Association of India (MAOI) met Balasaheb Thorat, Maharashtra’s revenue minister, on Wednesday to urge that a similar relief be provided to the cinema owners in the state.   

“We hope that the Maharashtra government will follow suit. The state contributes close to 30 per cent of the national box-office revenue. The sector needs to be protected by the state government. Besides exemption from property tax, they should charge us for electricity as per industry rates and not commercial rates.