HC directs TN govt to take fresh look at cinema ticket prices

The Madras High Court today set aside an order by the Tamil Nadu government refusing to increase ticket prices in cinema theatres in the state and directed it to consider afresh the representation by Tamil Nadu Exhibitors Association for a hike.
Passing orders on a PIL by the association, which had sought increase in the ticket prices citing various factors, including hike in the entertainment tax, the court said it was not satisfied with the October 21 last government order.
"Merely to state that nothing has changed in the last 10 years begs the question, as it can hardly be disputed that on various accounts costs have increased including basic aspects like electricity cost D.A payable (to employees), entertainment tax, etc.

"We are thus not satisfied with the disposal of the representation made by the petitioners to government and thus direct that fresh consideration should take place based on the parameters set out by the petitioner and a decision should be taken within a maximum period of one month from today," the court said.
The petitioner association had sought a direction to the Home Department (Cinema) to revise the rates of admission into cinema theatres in pursuance to their representations made in December 2013 and November 2015.
When the matter came up today, the Additional Advocate General has produced the government order, which mentioned the existing ticket prices ranging from Rs 20 to Rs 150 based on the amenities offered such as AC or non-AC.