The Congress government in the southern Indian state of Karnataka is planning to impose cess on movie tickets as well as&nbsp;Over-the-Top (OTT) subscription fees to support the film industry.&nbsp;Karnataka Cine and Cultural Workers (Welfare) Bill, 2024&nbsp;was tabled in the state assembly on Friday (Jul 19) and if passed, the cess levied could range from one to two per cent.&nbsp;

The additional revenue created by the taxes would be used to fund social security benefits such as the Provident Fund (PF) and Employees' State Insurance (ESI) for the cine workers.&nbsp;

"Any individual working in the film industry as an artist (actor, musician, dancer, etc.) or in any manual, supervisory, technical, artistic, or unskilled capacity is considered a cinema and cultural activist,"&nbsp;the bill reads.

"This also applies to people who are involved in activities that the government has declared in connection with this Act," it added.&nbsp;

The bill also demands the creation of a seven-member welfare board that will manage the funds collected for cine workers and cultural activists. According to estimates by the Karnataka Film Workers Artists and Technicians Union, there are 2,355 workers in the state working on films and shows.&nbsp;

Labour Department Secretary Mohammad Mohsin highlighted there were plans in the pipeline to impose a tax on theatrical plays performed in the state as well.&nbsp;

Karnataka Assembly's Leader of the Opposition and BJP MLA R Ashoka criticised the move saying Congress had become a 'pauper government'.&nbsp;

"The price of petrol, diesel and everything is rising. They have put a tax on movie theatres and OTT subscriptions also. This government has become a pauper government. So there is no money. That's why they are generating the money," said&nbsp;Ashoka.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/karnataka-caste-census-report-submitted-to-cm-siddaramaiah-695623" target="_blank">Watch |&nbsp;Karnataka 'caste census' report submitted to CM Siddaramaiah</a>

<iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" data-gtm-yt-inspected-17="true" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/karnataka-caste-census-report-submitted-to-cm-siddaramaiah-695623/embed" width="560"></iframe>

<h2>State coffers empty?&nbsp;</h2>

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah-led state government imposing tax on OTT is not expected to go down well with the consumers, especially as the freebie politics have cost the exchequer plenty in the last year.&nbsp;

Earlier this month,&nbsp;Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) said it was planning to hike bus fares by at least&nbsp;20 per cent after reporting an operating loss of Rs 295 crore ($35 million) in the last three months.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-karnataka-to-hike-bus-fare-after-free-ride-scheme-for-women-proves-expensive-740899">Also read |&nbsp;India: Karnataka to hike bus fare after free ride scheme for women proves expensive</a>

The decision was necessitated due to the launch of the Shakti scheme under which women passengers have been allowed to travel in state buses free of cost.&nbsp;

The scheme was one of the major poll planks of the party that became an instant hit with the women. However, the scheme's monetary repercussions have outweighed the electoral gains in only a year. With the coffers running dry, the government is now after the common man yet again.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The Congress government in the southern Indian state of Karnataka is planning to impose cess on movie tickets as well as Over-the-Top (OTT) subscription fees to support the film industry.

The Congress government in the southern Indian state of Karnataka is planning to impose cess on movie tickets as well as Over-the-Top (OTT) subscription fees to support the film industry. Karnataka Cine and Cultural Workers (Welfare) Bill, 2024 was tabled in the state assembly on Friday (Jul 19) and if passed, the cess levied could range from one to two per cent. The additional revenue created by the taxes would be used to fund social security benefits such as the Provident Fund (PF) and Employees' State Insurance (ESI) for the cine workers. "Any individual working in the film industry as an artist (actor, musician, dancer, etc.) or in any manual, supervisory, technical, artistic, or unskilled capacity is considered a cinema and cultural activist," the bill reads. "This also applies to people who are involved in activities that the government has declared in connection with this Act," it added. The bill also demands the creation of a seven-member welfare board that will manage the funds collected for cine workers and cultural activists. According to estimates by the Karnataka Film Workers Artists and Technicians Union, there are 2,355 workers in the state working on films and shows. Labour Department Secretary Mohammad Mohsin highlighted there were plans in the pipeline to impose a tax on theatrical plays performed in the state as well. Karnataka Assembly's Leader of the Opposition and BJP MLA R Ashoka criticised the move saying Congress had become a 'pauper government'. "The price of petrol, diesel and everything is rising. They have put a tax on movie theatres and OTT subscriptions also. This government has become a pauper government. So there is no money. That's why they are generating the money," said Ashoka. Watch | Karnataka 'caste census' report submitted to CM Siddaramaiah State coffers empty? Chief Minister Siddaramaiah-led state government imposing tax on OTT is not expected to go down well with the consumers, especially as the freebie politics have cost the exchequer plenty in the last year. Earlier this month, Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) said it was planning to hike bus fares by at least 20 per cent after reporting an operating loss of Rs 295 crore ($35 million) in the last three months. Also read | India: Karnataka to hike bus fare after free ride scheme for women proves expensive The decision was necessitated due to the launch of the Shakti scheme under which women passengers have been allowed to travel in state buses free of cost. The scheme was one of the major poll planks of the party that became an instant hit with the women. However, the scheme's monetary repercussions have outweighed the electoral gains in only a year. With the coffers running dry, the government is now after the common man yet again. (With inputs from agencies)

India: Karnataka to impose tax on OTT subscription fees, movie tickets

National Cinema Day: The Multiplex Association of India (MAI) announced on Thursday that in light of National Cinema Day on October 13, movie enthusiasts can watch the latest films at affordable prices.

National Cinema Day: The Multiplex Association of India (MAI) announced on Thursday that in light of National Cinema Day on October 13, movie enthusiasts can watch the latest films at affordable prices. The tickets will be as low as ₹99, excluding recliner and premium formats. Here's everything you need to know about National Cinema Day and how to book tickets for only ₹99. How to book ₹99 tickets on National Cinema Day? People who wish to watch movies at low rates on National Cinema Day can book the tickets online on platforms like BookMyShow and PayTM. All you need is to select the location, followed by your preferred movie and October 13 as the date. Shah Rukh Khan's Jawan and Akshay Kumar's Raniganj are among the movies available for ₹99 on National Cinema Day. New releases like Dhak Dhak, Thank You for Coming, and Fukrey 3 are also available at discounted prices. Additionally, a vast range of English, Malayalam, and Japanese movies are accessible at affordable prices. However, the offer does not apply to IMAX or 4DX. Furthermore, the ₹99 tickets do not include the convenience fee plus GST. You can also visit your nearby cinemas and buy an offline ticket for the same price. ALSO READ | ICC World Cup 2023 Live Streaming for FREE: When & where to watch Cricket ODI World Cup live on mobile APP, TV Why is National Cinema Day celebrated? The Multiplex Association of India initiated the idea of National Cinema Day in 2022 to commemorate the reopening of cinema halls after the COVID-19 pandemic. The association decided to offer significant discounts on movie tickets on National Cinema Day to encourage people to support cinema halls, which suffered huge losses during the pandemic. Another reason to introduce National Cinema Day was to counter the competition posed by OTT platforms. On National Cinema Day 2023, Over 4,000 screens at multiplexes from India, including PVR INOX, Cinepolis, Miraj, and Delite, have teamed up to participate in the celebrations. However, multiplex owners have not pinned down a fixed date for National Cinema Day. After a few changes, MAI chose September 23 as National Cinema Day in 2022. However, in 2023, October 13 was the finalised date. Last year, the tickets were available at a discounted rate of ₹75. National Cinema Day 2022 was a massive success as it registered the highest-ever single-day admissions of 6.5 million people. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

National Cinema Day 2023: Don't miss this offer! Tickets to your favourite movies at just ₹99

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