Bengal film industry thanks Mamata Banerjee over GST cinema rates

Kolkata: A host of filmmakers, actors and producers on Monday expressed gratitude to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for "waiving" state share of Goods and Services Tax (GST) on Bengali films.

National Award-winner Srijit Mukherji on Monday tweeted: "Thank you @MamataOfficial and Shri Amit Mitra for the much needed intervention!"

The "Begum Jaan" and "Autograph" maker shared a message posted by media and entertainment company Shree Venkatesh Films (SVF) that said: "Thank you Mamata didi and Sir Amit Mitra (Bengal Finance Minister) for waiving state share of GST on Bengali films. It stands at 9 per cent now. Win."

Acknowledging the West Bengal government's support, National Award-winning actor Prosenjit Chatterjee said: "Thanks Didi @MamataOfficial for supporting us and Amit da too... but we need to have a revised GST% for our regional cinema."

Banerjee reciprocated with a tweet: "Thank you for appreciating our efforts. @prosenjitbumba, @KGunedited, @srijitspeaketh, @silarindam and all others #GST."

The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council at its 16th meeting in New Delhi on Sunday revised the rates of 66 items out of the 133 for which representations had been received seeking change from the fitments originally made in the four-slab indirect tax structure.

The GST Council has decided on a two-slab structure for cinema tickets, whereby those costing less than Rs 100 would be taxed less at 18 per cent, while those above will attract tax of 28 per cent.

Mitra said the state government would, for its part, further reduce the nine per cent state GST rate.

The Eastern India Motion Pictures' Association (EIMPA) and Federation of Cine Technicians and Workers of Eastern India have opposed the initially proposed 28 per cent GST tax slab.