HC stays GO on exemption of entertainment tax on films

The Madras High Court today stayed the operation of a government order imposing certain conditions with regard to the exemption of entertainment tax to the films produced in Tamil language with titles in Tamil.
The First Bench, comprising Acting Chief Justice Satish K Agnihotri and Justice M M Sundresh, posted the matter after two weeks.
"Notices were issued on various petitions and time was also granted for filing counter to the Government. Despite several opportunities the State Government has not shown interest in filing counter. It appears that the State has nothing to say in the above matter. In view of the above it is just and necessary to stay the Government order dated July 21, 2011 till the next hearing date," the bench said when a batch of petitions came up for hearing.

Several petitions were filed, some challenging the government order announcing exemption of entertainment tax to the films produced with the title in Tamil language and some claiming their films were not given the exemption in spite of naming the titles in Tamil.
The government order was passed following recommendations of a committee set up to look into the matter.