The RBI has issued a circular amending the exchange control regulations for the engagement of foreign artistes for performance in India. The RBI has now decided to allow remittance facilities for engagement of foreign artistes such as dancers and musicians only if the artistes are engaged by the ITDC, State Tourism Development Corporation etc or where they are engaged by hotels in the five star category. The remittance facilities however will not be allowed for foreign nationals "employed/engaged in racing trade as also for cabaret artistes, wrestlers and other such entertainers." The circular raises certain fundamental questions.First, notice how the public sector is given privileged access, through ITDC and state TDCs. The rich are also allowed to get in their favourite stars, courtesy the five star hotels. But the poorer hotels and the general public must rest content with employing local talent for their entertainment. Second, notice that certain favoured professions continue to be in the RBI banned list where foreign competition will not be allowed. Cabaret artistes and wrestlers need not spend sleepless nights worrying about foreign competition. If those "engaged in racing trade" and cabaret artistes are allowed to corrupt the morals of Indians, the RBI will at least ensure that the corrupters will be wholly Indian.
Third, the RBI does not elucidate who the "other such entertainers" are who continue to be denied remittance facilities. This opens up all sorts of lip-smacking possibilities, all vying for the "other such entertainers" classification. Would Samantha Fox, for example, be an "other such entertainer"? Also mystifying is why the RBI objects to wrestlers -- why for instance, will Thai kickboxers be allowed remittances, while wrestlers will not? Bimal Jalan must answer.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
