Moviegoers and OTT watchers in Karnataka will now have to shell out more money from their pockets as the state assembly has passed e Cine and Cultural Activists (Welfare) Bill of 2024, which imposes an additional 2 per cent cess on all movie tickets and OTT subscriptions. 

COMMERCIAL BREAK
SCROLL TO CONTINUE READING

Along with that, the bill also gave guidelines to create a seven-member welfare board for cine workers and cultural activists. This board has been given the task of managing cess funds to support social security schemes.

Karnataka labour minister Santosh Lad wrote on X: “The Karnataka Cinema and Cultural Workers Welfare Bill - 2024 was introduced in the Assembly on Tuesday. At this time, many members of the House expressed their appreciation by giving suggestions and instructions about the bill. The bill was unanimously passed in the assembly."

He further said: "I am thankful to the honourable chief minister, deputy chief minister, honourable president of the assembly, cabinet colleagues, and all the members who consented to provide such a unique service to the servants of Kannada Goddess.”

As per the estimates of the Karnataka Film Workers Artists and Technicians Union around 2,355 workers, including artists and technicians, have been working in the industry.