Actor Kamal Hassan’s Strong Remarks On GST:- After the Goods and Services Tax (GST) was brought into force, it has received a mixed response from the common man of India. The business establishments and industries too had mixed opinions about GST, but on a long run, it would be beneficial for everyone, as per their opinion.
One industry that has spoken about GST the most, is the film industry across most of the states in India. To support the growth of film industries in their states, while most of the State Governments have either waived off their share completely or partially. On the contrary, an additional tax of entertainment tax of 30% over and above the 18-28% of Goods and Services Tax (GST) has been imposed by the Tamil Nadu Government.”
Among those who have been strongly opposing this state driven tax on the film business are prominent film personalities including actor-producer Vishal, director Shankar and lyricist Madhan Karky. One celebrity who has been talking about this since the origin of the idea of Goods and Services Tax (GST) is Kamal Haasan.
Regarding the new tax structure, the actor-film maker had strongly come down on the state and central governments. He said that “If the new structure is implemented, he might have to think of quitting the film business.” “The “Neighboring states like Kerala have totally refrained from levying anymore state tax on Cinema over and above GST.”
“The CM of Kerala Mr. Pinarayi Vijayan was requested by the film industry and he through his Finance minister quickly announced that Kerala will not be levying anymore taxes on the already beleaguered film business”, said Kamal Haasan post the implementation of Goods and Services Tax (GST).
Kamal Haasan came down intemperately on the Tamil Nadu government and said, “Karnataka has gone even further to facilitate the well-being of the film Industry. Telangana and Andhra are also doing their best for their film industries. It is only Tamil Nadu Govt. That has brought it to 30%. Film making in this State has been made difficult deliberately. There are further tortures and systemic corruption that the film Industry has to endure under this regime. All factions of the Industry are agitated. I am trying my best as any sensible individual of the industry to maintain solidarity and not play into the hands of any self-serving and avaricious politician.”
Corruption has entered into the state government said Kamal Hassan. He further added that, “Before, Bihar used to be the Nation’s whipping boy when it came to corruption. Now TN has left Bihar leagues behind. Film Industry is one among the many Industries asphyxiated by the prevailing systemic corruption in the State. I anticipate even stronger protests soon.”
SUPRAJA
