The Karnataka government on Wednesday presented a Rs 1.8-lakh-crore budget and announced that movie tickets in the state can no longer be sold for more than Rs 200. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah introduced a “policy for the implementation of uniform admission fee in all cinema theatres including multiplexes in the state”, reported The News Minute.
The Siddaramaiah government also said that a film city will be set up in Mysuru to promote the regional film industry. The move came after a 14-member committee headed by SV Rajendra Singh Babu asked the government to cap multiplex ticket prices at Rs 120.
The budget for the welfare of actors and technicians has been increased from Rs 1 crore to Rs 10 crore and the tax levied on non-Kannada films has been increased from Rs 1 per ticket for Rs 5. The Karnataka government also said that Kannada and other regional language films must be shown on one screen at multiplexes during the prime slots – 1.30 pm and 7.30 pm.
Moreover, the government said that the value-added tax on liquor, including beer, wine and fenny, will be removed from April 1. Another Rs 100 crore has been allocated to set up 198 “Namma Canteens” in the Bengaluru, which will provide breakfast for Rs 5, and lunch and dinner for Rs 10.
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