HYDERABAD: Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao announced several sops to the film industry, including reopening of cinema halls with immediate effect.Speaking to the media after releasing the TRS’ election manifesto at Telangana Bhavan, on Monday, Rao said that around 40,000 people depend on film industry including 16,000 junior artistes and therefore the revival of the industry was essential.
50 per cent seating
After the announcement, Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar issued a GO permitting the reopening of cinemas/ theatres/ multiplexes with up to 50 per cent seating capacity in areas outside the containment zones. Physical distancing and crowd management measures should be followed. Sanitisation of entire premises particularly common areas shall be done after every screening. Temperature setting of all air conditioning devices should be in the range of 24 to 30 degrees Celsius.
Re-circulation of air should be avoided and intake of fresh air should be as much as possible.Show timings should be staggered to ensure that intervals of different shows do not occur simultaneously, the order said.
Flexible ticket rates
The Chief Minister announced that the government would also allow theatre owners to collect flexible rates for tickets. Theatre owners too would be allowed to screen multiple shows. Besides, the State government would waive SGST of 9 per cent for movies, whose budget is below Rs 10 crore.
The Chief Minister said that Rs 650 crore had been disbursed for flood victims and the government would spend another Rs 250 crore more for flood relief, if necessary.
Hyderabad is a bouquet
The Chief Minister appealed to voters saying, “Our Hyderabad is a happening city. Investments are coming in a big way. In Hyderabad, Tamilians, Keralites, people from Odisha, Bihar and other States have been living harmoniously. We have Gujarati galli and Parsi gutta. Hyderabad is like a bouquet. Think wisely and vote for TRS for peaceful Hyderabad.”
Rao called upon the people not to vote for divisive forces (read as BJP) in the GHMC polls. He alleged that both the BJP and the Congress had failed to lead the country properly. “The country needs a revolution in politics. I will take the lead and usher in a new political system in the country,” Rao declared.
He had announced recently that he would convene a conclave of non-BJP parties in Hyderabad in the second week of December. The conclave would declare war against the disinvestment of public sector undertakings.