Bengaluru, Jul 8 (UNI): Karnataka government waived off the property tax for the single screening theatres across the state following the continuous lockdown due to pandemic.
According to a government order in this regard, the property tax waiver will cost Rs 9 crore to the state exchequer. About 630 single-screen theatres across the state benefit from the move.
A note from the Department of Information and Publicity said that the order was issued on Wednesday night based on an appeal by Karnataka Exhibitors Association, which had sought relief. The exemption has been extended for the financial year 2021-22
The theatres hardly opened for a month or two, following an unlock after the first wave of Covid. Even though they were open, they could operate only at 50per cent seating. Hence, theatres could barely make up for the loss they incurred, according to the association.
The note said that while the Karnataka government had extended relief of Rs 3,000 to each of 22,000 employees in the film industry, the property tax waiver was given considering the lack of business owing to the anticipated third wave of COVID-19.
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