The Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy government in Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday enacted a legislation in the state assembly seeking to make online ticketing system compulsory in the entire state.
The Andhra Pradesh Cinemas (Regulation) (Amendment) Act, 2021, was enacted by the assembly and it came into effect with retrospective effect from November 12, 2021.
According to the amendment, no theatre shall offer to sell or allowed to be sold any tickets for admission into cinematograph exhibition (screening of films) except through the online booking platform of the government company on such terms and conditions as may be prescribed from time to time.
Introducing the bill on behalf of chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, state minister for information and public relations Perni Venkatramaiah alias Nani read out the objectives and statement of the bill.
It said the government has decided to introduce seamless online movie booking system, on the lines of Indian Railways online ticketing system, in order to enhance movie-theatre experience in the state.
The proposed online movie booking system enables the audience or moviegoers to book their tickets for their choice movie at their selected theatre by making a phone call, surfing the Internet, by sending SMS etc;
It caters to the people to get cinema ticket without hassle and save time of standing in long queues, journeys and to avoid disappointment of non-availability.
The proposed online movie booking system reduces traffic problems and pollution and helps in checking black-marketing.
The proposed online booking system will stop the tax evasion and enable the Revenue Department to collect GST & Service Taxes etc., within time, the bill said.
