The district administration has directed all theater owners to obtain statutory licenses from municipal authorities, fire and other departments to continue screening of films at the earliest.
Following the instructions of the administration, a few days ago the officials sealed TBR Hall in Parvathipuram, Saikrishna Theater in Pusapati Rega, Gopal Krishna Theatre-Bhogapuram, S-3 Theater in Nellimarla. It was observed that Sai Krishna Theater failed to renew fire safety licenses for the last five years. Lack of cleanliness, and ticket sales at exorbitant prices are also other reasons for sealing of cinema halls.
Collector inspecting theaters A. Senior officials, including Suryakumari, Joint Collector GC Kishore Kumar and Parvathipuram Sub-Collector Bhawna, said the licenses and proper maintenance were statutory, despite the loss and benefit of theatres.
“The government will not compromise on the safety of the people. Cleanliness and order to ensure social distancing is important to contain the spread of coronavirus,” said A. Suryakumari.
Expressing dismay at the stringent norms, exhibitors said they would not be in a position to run cinema halls for long if the ban on ticket rates continues.
Ticket rates were fixed between ₹5 and ₹20 in gram panchayats and up to ₹35 in nagar panchayats.
In municipal areas, ticket rates were set between ₹30 and ₹100. Multiplex theater owners can deposit between ₹75 and ₹250 on each ticket.
“We need at least ₹3.5 lakh per month for the maintenance of cinemas in rural areas and ₹4 lakh in urban areas. With the advent of OTT platforms, the occupancy ratio has come down significantly, leading to a drop in revenue. Four theater owners have already converted their cinema halls into commercial complexes in Vizianagaram. The government should look into the grievances of the exhibitors as they provide huge employment directly and indirectly,” said Narayanam Srinivas, president of Vizianagaram Cine Exhibitors Association.
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