Bhubaneswar: The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has issued letters to nine film halls in City regarding non-payment of advertisement fees.
As per the provision, firms or organisations screening movie shows have to pay about Rs 55 per ad per annum. However, many film halls were found evading the fees and were observed playing advertisements before, after and during the shows.
The civic body has sent notices to INOX at Bhawani Mall; INOX at DN Regalia Mall; Cinepolis at Esplanade One; Keshari talkies at Kharavel Nagar; Maharaja Hall at Bhoi Nagar; Sriya-Swati-Stutee at Unit III; Ravi talkies at Lewis Road and Ekamra talkies at Bomikhal.
“We have asked the cinema halls to deposit a list of advertisements within stipulated period to BMC. Following which the civic authority will take steps accordingly. While minor to serious penalties can be applied to non-payment of fees, seizing of the movie hall may occur in certain cases,” a BMC official said.
Meanwhile, six private cable operators – M/S We Fe Technology Pvt Ltd, Hathaway Digital Pvt.ltd, Manthan Broadband Services Pvt Ltd, SAMBAD, Ortel Communication limited and Situation Networks were issued letters to deposit fees for using BMC poles for overhead cables.