Navalkar has proposed that for every cinema ticket sold in urban and rural areas in the state, Rs two and Rs one respectively be given to the state's cultural affairs department. This money could be utilised to fund the department's activities like the proposed Sant Peeth institute at Paithan and the Kala Academy at Ravindra Natya Mandir, festivals like Tamasha and various awards given by the department, all of which require a fair amount of money, said Navalkar.

``The Chief Minister had asked us to identify possible revenue sources, hence this move,'' explained Navalkar. ``In any case we need funds for our increasing activities.'' The annual budget of the cultural affairs department is Rs 13 to 15 crore. ``The department hasn't fallen short of its required budget, but in economy measures, wecould be denied of funds,'' he reasoned.

Navalkar has forwarded the proposal to the revenue department, and he expects it to be taken up next week. ``I don't think the revenue department's response should be negative. The proposal will subsidise our expenditure, but no amount will be earmarked for our activities alone,'' stressed Navalkar.

The steep climb in cinema ticket fares is being cited as the reason behind the proposal. Current rates for a balcony ticket average at Rs 80 in Mumbai's cinema houses, while stalls can cost up to Rs 40. ``Ticket fares have shot up by as much as 300 per cent in recent times. In any case, the theatre owners charge Re 1 from the fares for the theatres' maintenance,'' Navalkar said.

Navalkar has also mooted this proposal to the Theatre Owners' Association, and he claimed that theatre owners have agreed. Stated U A Thadani, president of the association, ``We have asked the government to give us this decision in writing. We will then circulate it among our members and askthem to increase the fares by Rs two.''

However, Revenue Minister Narayan Rane has dubbed the proposal as one that is weighed in favour of theatre owners. ``Why should viewers be burdened with the hike?'' questioned Rane. And when told that the cultural affairs department wanted to utilise only a part of the funds for its activities, he refused comment. ``Theatre owners will be the only ones who will benefit out of this move,'' remarked Rane.

Said Navalkar, ``If the cultural affairs department has been instrumental in getting funds, we should get our share.'' The revenue generated from this proposal will not be used for beautification projects in the city; these would be completed with the help of sponsors alone, Navalkar emphasised. ``And the hike will not amount to entertainment tax,'' he told Express Newsline.