Sarbanands Sonowal hands over subsidy for new theatres, reopening old ones

GUWAHATI: Chief minister Sarbanands Sonowal on Wednesday handed over cheques as government subsidy to entrepreneurs for building new movie theatres and reopening or renovation of closed and old ones across the state.
Under the scheme, which is implemented by Assam State Film (Finance and Development) Corporation Limited, for the first time, government subsidies were given to five entrepreneurs for opening of new cinema halls and five entrepreneurs for reopening or renovation of closed and old cinema halls.
For new cinema halls, government would bear the subsidy up to 25%, or Rs 75 lakh, and for reopening of cinema halls, there would be government subsidy to the tune of Rs 25 lakh and for the re-opening of old cinema halls, the government subsidy would be Rs 50 lakh. The government has released 40% of the subsidy amount under the scheme.
Speaking on the occasion, Sonowal said, “The government has decided to help cinema halls promote Assamese cinema, along other mainstream films. The scheme will also help revamp the film industry.”
He added, “The Assamese society is a culturally deep-rooted one where people belonging to Barak, Brahmaputra, hills and plains are working together to expedite cultural development of the state.”
Paying obeisance to the cultural icons like Rupkonwar Jyoti Prasad Agarwala, Bishu Prasad Rabha, Phani Sharma, Bhupen Hazarika, Sonowal said the contributions of these personalities have established Assamese in the global landscape.
He also said, “Assamese society is indebted to the artistes of the state as the artistes are doing their best in promoting the harmony, dignity and respect of our society.”
Sonowal said the Covid-19 pandemic has had its impact on the artistes of the state as their activities have been greatly restricted. He added that the government was committed to be with the artistes and is formulating schemes for their welfare.
Sonowal also thanked the artistes for generating awareness about the safety protocols during the pandemic. He sought suggestions from artistes in matters of the government’s response to public welfare in general and cultural development of the state.
Beneficiaries given subsidy for opening new cinema halls are Jonaki Cinema Hall, Tezpur, Kelvin Cinema Hall, Guwahati, Zelimax, Bongaigaon, Chaya Cinema Hall, Tangla and PG Enterprise-promoted cinema hall at Bypass Nagaon.
For reopening or renovation of closed and old cinema halls, the beneficiaries selected are Indrapuri Cinema Hall, Barpeta, Anuradha Cine Complex, Guwahati, Nakshatra Cinema Hall, Lakhimpur, Mayapuri Cinema Hall, Bongaigaon and Nazira Film Cooperative Societies, Nazira. Daughter of Jyoti Prasad Agarwala, Gyanshree Pathak recalled how her father made feature films despite all adversaries.