Entertainment sector seeks freedom from multiple taxes

Representatives from the media and entertainment industry today met Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and suggested multiple taxation should not be levied on the sector to promote growth.

The delegation, in association with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Ficci) and led by Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni, met Mukherjee as part of pre-Budget consultations.

After meeting Mukherjee, Ficci said it had demanded that entertainment taxes in case of multiplexes be included in the proposed Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime. However, “multiplex operators should be exempted from payment of duties on import of cinema equipment, till GST is introduced,” it added.

The delegates also recommended that necessary equipment and hardware for film production be allowed to be imported without the additional burden of the Customs duty.

Ficci, in a report to the finance minister, said digitisation was vital for the growth of the industry. “There is a need for clear and well-defined roadmap for the transition from analog to the digital mode across the country. Digitisation should be supported through fiscal incentives,” it said.

Industry stakeholders recommended that Customs duty on set-top boxes be minimised to bridge the demand-supply gap in the industry.