Pricing of cinema tickets: High Court ruled that government cannot be the authority by itself to fix rates and charges
The Hindu
AP High Court said that the government can at best convey its opinion on the pricing of cinema tickets, but it cannot be the authority to fix the rates and charges
Justice D.V.S.S. Somayajulu of Andhra Pradesh High Court on Wednesday ruled that the government can at best convey its opinion on the pricing of cinema tickets to the licensing authority but it cannot be the authority by itself to fix the rates and charges.
The ultimate decision must be of the licensing authority only, he ordered during the hearing of a writ petition wherein the Multiplex Association of India (MAI) challenged the government order, that service charges should be included for online booking in the overall price for admission to cinema theaters.
The petitioner (manager of PVR Cinemas in Vijayawada) claimed to represent the owners of multiplexes in India. He contended that the inclusion of service charges for online booking of tickets is contrary to the provisions of the AP Cinemas (Regulation) Act, 1955.
The judge said in his interim order that the petitioner is at liberty to revert back to the existing system of providing online booking and also to levy the existing service charge on the cine-goers who wish to book tickets online, and posted the case to June 15 to facilitate the filing of counters.
The petitioner’s argument is that online ticket booking being provided by the theaters is a service given to the audience and the public or cine-goers who wish to avoid the crowds or standing in the queues will avail the facility. It is an extra service being offered to the customers, like parking and some other services and it cannot be called the ‘rate for admission’ into the cinema theaters.
In his submission, the Advocate General had maintained that the regulation of admission fees is wholly within the State’s competence and the government dealt with the exhibitors as a class and did not distinguish between the multiplex theaters and single screen owners.
Bengaluru commuters demand platform screen doors for safety, but high costs and engineering challenges hinder implementation on existing metro routes.
Madras HC to hear appeals on December 12 regarding the lighting of Mahadeepam at Thirupparankundram temple.
N. Ram warns that hate politics threatens India’s democracy, urging the South to remain a bastion against these forces.
Nanjil Sampath joins Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, revitalizing his political career after six years away from party politics.
D.K. Shivakumar announces that five Blue Line stations will open once construction is completed, enhancing Bengaluru's airport connectivity.
Russia begins fuel shipments for Kudankulam's third reactor, enhancing efficiency and extending operational cycles for the nuclear power project.
Supreme Court urges governments to simplify administration, warning that excessive rules may lead to judicial review and citizen burdens.
Trinamool MP Shatabdi Roy's remarks on Bangla-speaking deportations spark protests in Lok Sabha, igniting a heated political debate.
Sunali Khatun returns to India with her son after six months in Bangladesh, following Supreme Court intervention.
Warangal will be developed on the lines of Hyderabad, says Revanth
Three-tier security measures and traffic restrictions are in place for the India-South Africa ODI match in Vizag.
A seven-year-old girl dies from severe dengue shock syndrome in Bengaluru, highlighting the challenges faced by migrant families in healthcare access.
DGP reviews security arrangements for Global Summit