It has been reported that ‘tiatr' is an unorganised sector and a one-man show with dealings in cash and tax returns not filed. It is also not certain if all actors, musicians, and all those working on and off the stage are paid regularly and properly as it is left to the whims of ‘one individual' controlling the show.
The recent proposal to bring ‘tiatr' under the ambit of GST is being opposed by a group which argues that it would be extra work on them and that it would burden the viewers. But the actual fact is that the income unaccounted so far would now be required to be declared along with statement of all payments made. This will involve slashing profit margin to be out of the tax bracket and reducing ticket rates which would benefit the viewers.
It is a good move to bring tiatr under GST, but that should apply to dramas and all other commercial programmes also.
BVS Priolkar, Comba
