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Goan theatres to get loans, subsidy
NT Staff Reporter
Panaji Oct 5: In view of the forthcoming International Film Festival of
India (IFFI), the state government has okayed subsidy and interest-free-loan
scheme to the cinema houses in the state to provide financial aid for
upgradation of facilities in cinema houses in the state.
The government has also approved another scheme for adoption of government
primary and middle schools by government-aided institutions. The scheme is
aimed at improving the standards of government primary and middle schools
and to provide better academic and administrative management to these
schools.
The official sources confirmed that both the schemes have been approved by
the state cabinet, which met at the Secretariat conference hall, here, today
evening.
The subsidy scheme named as ‘Goa Entertainment Tax-based subsidy for Cinema
Houses (Theatres) Scheme 2004’ shall come into force with effect from
November 22 and will remain in force up to November 21, 2009.
The scheme is applicable to all the cinema houses that are covered under the
Goa Entertainment Tax Act, 1964 and having licence for exhibition under
Cinematograph Act 1952 (Central Act 37 of 1952) and under Goa, Daman and Diu
Cinematograph Rules 1965.
The maximum subsidy admissible will be equal to entertainment tax actually
paid by the cinema houses in respect of entertainment provided by way of
cinema shows for a period of five years, from the date of operation of the
scheme or for shorter period.
The scheme proposed to either pay subsidy amount in cash or by transferring
the amount to financial institutions towards repayments of interest-free
loan by the theatre owners.
The government has also approved interest-free loan scheme to the cinema
houses/theatres to develop and upgrade physical infrastructure facilities
and to maintain international standards of quality as laid down by the
government.
The scheme is applicable to the registered cinema houses and loan amount is
proposed to the owners of these cinema theatres for upgradation of cinema
halls, installation of modern sound and lighting system, air-conditioning
and other facilities.
The government has proposed implementation of the scheme through Economic
Development Corporation Ltd (EDC). The scheme proposes loan amount up to Rs
3 crore or actual expenses incurred, whichever is less in respect of cinema
halls in Panaji. While the scheme proposed loan amount up to Rs 1.5 crore or
actual expenses in respect to cinema halls in Margao, Vasco-da-Gama, Mapusa
and Ponda. Besides, a loan amounting to Rs 50 lakh in respect of cinema
houses in other areas. The government will soon issue notification in this
regard.
The government will give preference to the cinema houses identified by the
directorate of film festival or by the state or the central government and
these cinema houses should complete the requisite improvement of the cinema
halls before November 15, while other cinema houses have to complete the
improvement works by March 31, 2005.
The scheme proposed to disburse amounts in phases or installments to the
extent of each work undertaken on production of estimates duly certified by
nodal agency, the Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC).
It has proposed that the EDC would provide loans to the owners of public
cinema halls, which they have to repay in 22 equal quarterly installments,
with a moratorium of about 18 months from the date of first disbursements of
loan amount. In case the beneficiary fails to repay the installment within
stipulated time, the interest of 12 per cent or higher as determined by the
EDC would be levied.
The scheme proposed that the interest on the loans would be borne by the
state government on quarterly basis. The loanee needs to submit utilisation
certificate, duly signed by the registered authorised architect, before the
EDC and the state government. The loanee shall not sell or transfer the
property, during the loan period of 7 years. In case any dispute arises over
any condition, the decision of the Chief Secretary shall be final.
Meanwhile, the school scheme aims at supporting the existing government
primary and middle schools to come out from current low enrollment and
closure trap.
It intends to promote healthy and conductive academic environment for
all-round growth of primary students and also to support the demands of
aided high schools having no primary section, by entrusting government
primary and middle schools in their care. The scheme proposes to consider
providing primary schools having enrollment of less then 20 students,
l
