Karnataka waives property tax worth Rs.9 Cr on all single-screen theatres

Karnataka on Wednesday ordered a complete waiver of property tax on single-screen theatres for the 2021-22 financial year, which may cost the state exchequer Rs 9 crore and benefit 630 theatres, which are affected severely due to the covid pandemic and lockdowns.

After the Karnataka State Film Exhibitors Association (KSFEA) submitted a detailed memorandum to Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa in Bengaluru, the latter directed the officials to issue an order waiving property tax with immediate effect.

The KSFEA in its memorandum stated that with theatres remaining shut for almost 14 months due to the Covid-19 pandemic since March last year, barring a short window between February and April this year, the theatre owners have suffered huge losses.

The association said that no audience is likely to visit the theatres during this time, and many theatres are on the verge of even shutting down.

There are 630 single-screen theatres in the state. Over the past year, the theatres hardly opened for a month or two, following an unlock after the first wave of the pandemic.

Even though they were open, the theatres could operate only at 50 per cent capacity. Hence, the theatres could barely make up for the losses they incurred, according to the association.

The government order also stated that theatres may be allowed to operate for a month or two, and that too at 50 per cent capacity.

Covid cases

The state's Covid tally rose to 28,62,338, including 39,603 active cases as of Wednesday, with Bengaluru emerging as the epicentre.

The state capital reported 611fresh cases on Tuesday, taking its Covid tally to 12,17,507, including 14,138 active cases, while recoveries rose to 11,87,666, with 693 patients discharged in the day.

(With inputs from IANS)