In a sad news for Tamil Nadu film lovers, the Tamil Nadu Film Producers’ Council has decided to protest against the state government’s decision to impose an additional local body tax of 20 percent and 10 percent on non-Tamil films and Tamil films, respectively. As a result, the body has decided not to release any new film in this festive season, according to a report by The Indian Express. The council, in a statement, said that the film producers have already been hit hard by GST and this new tax will further increase the burden on them.
The producers’ council has said the government’s decision will only add to the problems of the filmmakers. “Tamil film producers have already been affected heavily by problems such as piracy and GST, so the decision to levy LBET has been an additional shock to us,” the council said in a statement, as per IE.
It has requested the government to completely remove LBET. “Instead of regulating ticket prices, the decision to levy more tax will only lead to confusion. According to the decisions taken at a meeting that happened on Tuesday (Oct 3), we request the government to eradicate LBET completely. Hence, we have decided to not release new Tamil movies from October 6th,” the body said.
Apart from the producers’ council, the members of Multiplex Association of India have also announced the strike against Local Body Entertainment Tax by Chennai corporation citing similar reasons. This is not the first time when theatres in Tamil Nadu are holding a protest.
Earlier, they had shut down the cinema halls across the state after the Centre’s Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime came into effect on July 1. The theatres reopened after the government assured the filmmakers that it will look into their demands.