Gujarat leads in Multiplexes in Asia

Gujarat leads in Multiplexes in Asia
M S M Desai

MUMBAI, NOV 20: Even as number of cinemas across the country falls from 13,000 to 12,387 in 2000, the Gujarat Government has sought to reverse the trend by encouraging multiplex cinemas, albeit at the expense of the State exchequer.

Within a year of a policy decision taken by the state government, three multiplexes have opened up here - City Pulse with three screens, R-World with three screens and City Gold with five screens.

Within six months, six more multiplexes that are currently under construction will open, not just in Ahmedabad but also in Rajkot, Baroda and Surat.

In addition, proposals for 40 more multiplexes have already been submitted since a scheme which offers an eight-year entertainment tax holiday was unveiled. The scheme will be valid till the end of this year.

Gujarat will have the most multiplexes among all states.

While elaborating on the policy, State Finance Minister Vajubhai Vada said Gujarat has encouraged multiplexes because the culture of multiplex cinemas has become common all over the world.

However, since the state government is losing Rs 80 crore per year due to the tax amnesty scheme, the state does not intend to continue it for long.