Ex-CM opposes high fees for filmmaking in Jharkhand

Former Jharkhand chief minister Arjun Munda has questioned the government of his own party BJP over its move to fix high rates for making movies in the state.

"The state cabinet on September 1 approved the Jharkhand Shooting Regulation, 2015. The one-week fee for shooting films in the state has been fixed at Rs.50 lakh, and Rs.10 lakh in addition to per day shooting exceeding one week's time," Munda said in a letter to Chief Minister Raghubar Das.

"The fee structure indicates that it has been prepared only for big films and overlooks regional and tribal film making in the state," he said.

Stating that regional and tribal films cost Rs.5-10 lakh, he asked "how can they afford such exorbitant fees?"

"It seems that a big mistake has been committed while preparing the draft of the shooting," Munda said, adding that the advice of local filmmakers and the Tribal Advisory Council members should have been taken.

Munda appealed to the chief minister to remove the regulation fees to promote regional films and create employment for local youths.