The Andhra Pradesh government, led by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, on Wednesday appointed a five-member committee to review and examine the issue of fixing ticket rates in cinema theatres, particularly during the release of new films.
A government order (GO) to this effect was issued the same day.
As per the GO, the committee will be chaired by the Principal Secretary (Home) and will include the Principal Secretary (Finance), Director of the Information and Public Relations Department, Secretary (Law), and noted film producer Vivek Kuchibhotla as members.
“The committee shall examine the matter of fixing cinema theatre rates in detail, taking into account the current situation, legal considerations, and submissions made by the film industry. It shall submit its recommendations to the government for further necessary action,” the GO stated.
During the previous Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy-led government, a controversial order was issued significantly reducing cinema ticket prices across various categories and classes.
Aggrieved by the move, several exhibitors filed writ petitions in the High Court, seeking a directive allowing theatre owners to operate as per the rates that prevailed prior to the impugned order.
Following the High Court's intervention, the Jagan government constituted a committee to review the rates.
Based on its recommendations, a revised GO was issued on March 7, 2022, revising ticket prices for single-screen theatres and multiplexes.
However, the revised GO reportedly had several discrepancies. As a result, the current Naidu administration has decided to re-examine the entire issue in detail and has constituted a new committee to propose a fresh set of revised rates.
