I&B minister Prakash Javadekar has THIS to say on reopening of cinema halls

Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar on Tuesday said that reopening of cinema halls will be examined after assessing the status of the COVID-19 pandemic in this month i.e June.

As reported by PTI, Prakash Javadekar has told about this to the Association of Film Producers, Cinema Exhibitioners and Film Industry representatives during a video conference after they demanded of the opening of cinema halls.

Cinema halls across the country have been shut much before the lockdown was announced. Since films, television and web production have been halted, there was a loss of Rs. 80-90 crore per week.

A statement from the ministry said that Javadekar that the relief currently sought by the industry is more to do with finance like salary subsidy, interest-free loans for three years, exemption on taxes and duties, waiver of minimum demand charges on electricity and electricity at industrial rates, etc.

Javadekar also assured the representatives that the issues will be taken up with concerned ministries for necessary action. On restarting production-related activities, the minister said standard operating procedures are being issued by the government.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Home Affairs has said that religious places, hotels, restaurants and other hospitality services and shopping malls will start from June 8. Along with cinema halls, gymnasiums, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatres, bars, auditoriums will continue to remain shut.

For more such updates, stay tuned to this space.

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