BANGALORE: The problem-prone Kannada film industry is hoping that the Government will address some of its long-standing demands in the State Budget to be presented on Friday.

Power supply to theatres at the tariff applicable to industries, abolition of show tax, a single-window system for granting permission to shoot films at any location in the State, simplification of certain rules specified in the Cinematographic Act, applying the Goonda Act to contain video piracy and 100 per cent entertainment tax concession even for `remake' films are some of the major demands of the State's film industry.

The Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC), in its memorandum to the Government and a pre-budget discussion with Deputy Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa, discussed some of these demands.

According to KFCC vice-president V.H. Suresh and secretary Thomas D'Souza, the Government supplies power to cinema theatres under the HT-2B (commercial) category, which is the second highest tariff.

Theatres pay a show tax of Rs. 40, Rs. 60 and Rs. 90 per show based on the ticket rates and an additional 10 per cent cess on it.

The tax is to be paid by the proprietor of the theatre. But producers and distributors complain that the tax is collected from their kitty. The show tax brings in an estimated Rs. 5 crore to the exchequer.

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