By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The State Government on Wednesday waived off the entertainment taxes for cinema hall owners for a period of five year.
Talking to newsmen after chairing a Cabinet meet on Wednesday, Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma said, “This decision was taken in order to generate investment.”
It is expected that the decision to waive off entertainment tax would help in setting up of more multiplexes and hi-fi digital cinema halls in the State.
“This would also help the tourists in the city who are interested in watching movies,” Dr Sangma said, adding that the government would review the decision to levy the entertainment tax after five years.
When contacted, GAD Minister AL Hek, confirmed that the decision to exempt the entertainment tax would be valid only for double-screen multiplexes and mini cinema halls with a seating capacity of not less than 200 and not more than 500.
The existing cinema halls in the city were not considered for the exemption, he mentioned.
It may be noted that Gold Cinema has set up a fully-air conditioned theatre with a seating capacity of 200 at the renovated Dreamland Cinema Hall complex, but the same was yet to become functional pending the Cabinet decision.