IFFI Inaugurated: Mamata to Take Up Filmmakers' Tax Woes with Govt
Pics by Applied Art
Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji
Panaji, Nov 23 (IANS): Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee Monday said she will take up the film industry's concerns over taxation with the government. Her assurance came after filmmaker Yash Chopra raised the issue at the start of the 41st International Film festival of India (IFFI) here.
Speaking during the inaugural ceremony of the IFFI here, Banerjee agreed to take up the cudgels for the film industry on tax issues with Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee.
"It is a matter related to the finance ministry and I will take up the issue of taxation with Pranab da (Mukherjee)," Banerjee said.
Union railway minister Mamta Banerjee escorts Veteran bollywood film maker Yash Chopra during the inaugural ceremony of the 41st International Film Festival of India at the Dinanath Mangueshkar auditorium in Kala Academy at Panaji on Monday.
Union railway minister Mamta Banerjee seen lighting the ceremonial lamp to mark the inauguration of the 41st International Film Festival of India at the Dinanath Mangueshkar auditorium in Kala Academy at Panaji on Monday. Also seen veteran bollywood film maker Yash Chopra, Bollywood actors Ajay Devgan, Reema Sen, Chief minister Digambar Kamat and others.
Union railway minister Mamta Banerjee seen along with veteran bollywood film maker Yash Chopra, Bollywood actors Ajay Devgan, Reema Sen, Chief minister Digambar Kamat and others during the inaugural ceremony of the 41st International Film Festival of India at the Dinanath Mangueshkar auditorium in Kala Academy at Panaji on Monday.
Bollywood actor Ajay Devgan walks the Red carpet.
`Taare Zameen Par' fame bollywood actor Tisca Chopra walks the Red carpet.
Members of the Jury.
Noted bollywood director Rajkumar Hirani seen interacting with the media.
Union railway minister Mamta Banerjee being escorted by the Chief minister Diagamabr Kamat to the main festival venue in Panaji.
Bollywood actor Ajay Devgan seen along with actor Chunky Pandey minutes after the inaugural ceremony of the 41st International Film Festival of India at the Dinanath Mangueshkar auditorium in Kala Academy at Panaji on Monday.
The comperes...Aftab Shivdasai and Gracy Singh.
Union minsiter of State for Information and Broadcasting S. Jajatrakshakan seen expressing his thoughts on the ocassion.
Chief Minister Digambar Kamat seen expressing his thoughts on the ocassion.
The glamourous gathering during the inaugural ceremony of the 41st International Film Festival of India at the Dinanath Mangueshkar auditorium in Kala Academy at Panaji on Monday.
Veteran bollywood film maker Yash Chopra seen addressing the gathering during the inaugural ceremony of the 41st International Film Festival of India at the Dinanath Mangueshkar auditorium in Kala Academy at Panaji on Monday.
The gathering.
"Taxation is too much. I must pursue the matter. The film industry has contributed a lot to the country," the Trinamool Congress leader said.
Chopra earlier said that the Indian film industry would be writing its obituary soon, if it was taxed any further.
Chopra slammed the government for devising a virtually strangulating tax regime, which comprised of a cocktail of taxes, including value added tax (VAT) and stamp duty.
"Why is the government (central) treating us in a step-motherly manner? If these new taxes come, I am sure they will come because they have made up their mind, filmmakers will not be able to make movies anymore," said Chopra, who has won several awards including the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for lifetime achievement in films.
"India celebrates 100 years of cinema in 2012 and maybe they will be writing the obituary of Indian cinema then," Chopra said.