Entertainment tax structure to be relaxed, says Ambika Soni

PANAJI: The entertainment tax structure in the country will be much relaxed after it is brought under common head in central taxes, information and broadcasting minister Ambika Soni said.

Talking to reporters after inaugurating Film Bazaar at International Film Festival of India ( IFFI) in Goa, Soni said that there has been a demand by filmmakers to lower the entertainment tax structure in the country.

"Indian filmmakers are complaining of the high rate of entertainment tax. Central government is trying to bring entertainment tax under one head as GST," she said, adding "currently each state government has their own tax structures for entertainment industry."

The minister said that India is open to signing Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) with the countries, who have tradition of filmmaking.

Stating that India is entering into co-production treaty with various countries, Soni dismissed that there is any possibility of extending financial help for the films produced under such agreements.

"There is no financial help. We are not in a position to do it. But I do want Indian government to be sensitive towards the requirement of the industry," she added.

Soni inaugurated IFFI 2011 yesterday in presence of Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan.

Responding to a question, Soni said that the stress is being given to help National Films Division Corporation ( NFDC).

"NFDC has a bigger role to play now in the industry," she said, adding that the body would be supporting the budding filmmakers to get their foothold. The film bazaar is organized by NFDC.