Is it Singapore? Shanghai? Or our own Mumbai?

<div class="section1"><div class="Normal">Due to the continuous wavering in decision-making, Mumbaikars are a wee bit confused on whether Mumbai will be transformed into Singapore or Shanghai. Moreover, the changes that are taking place in the metro may have added to their confusion. <br /><br />Though it is still very much <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Aapli Mumbai</span>, the city is changing at a fast pace.<br /><br />Textile industry in the city can now be best remembered as that of the bygone era now. The smoke from the chimneys of textile mills is fading out fast. It is no more the Manchester of this part of the world. But what happened to the mill workers, is a different story altogether.<br /><br />Shopping malls, amusement centers, eateries and multiplexes - all are fast replacing mills in Central Mumbai and other factories in the suburbs. They are occupying the lands, which became vacant after the closures, or shifting and demolitions of mills and factories.<br /><br />Parts of Mumbai really look like Singapore. But the changes have brought in their own problems - some of them still not visible or anticipated.<br /><br />One such problem is the state government policy of encouraging the new entertainment culture of multiplexes, which has created rift between the traditional theatres and today''s new-fledged cinema halls. <br /><br />The first multiplex in Mumbai was started at Wadala about four years back. It had an added attraction of a dome theatre, with five floor tall screen. <br /><br />But this enamouring site of multiplexes was also the beginning of the new revolution among the Mumbaikars'' -- a chain of multiplex movie halls came up in the city. Today the number is well above 10.<br /><br />The government has given concession in entertainment tax to the multiplexes. The idea is to popularise the concept, when the cinema industry is facing stiff competition from TV and cable industry. <br /><br />Under the government policy, the multiplexes do not have to pay the entertainment tax for first three years. 75 per cent concession in the tax is given in the following two years. <br /><br />But at a time when its tax holiday for these multiplexes, the old theatre owners are paying 60 per cent tax. <br /><br />Single screen theatre owners have threatened to go on strike from October 17 to highlight their grievances, wanting the tax reduction to 35 per cent. <br /><br />Apart from tax concession given to the multiplexes, even the ticket rates are quite high. Thus, a bonanza for multiplex owners as well as audience of the elite class.<br /><br />Whereas, the single screen theatre owners have to cross many more difficulties. If they are not allowed concessions they have no right to go out of business as and when they feel either. Government permission is needed to close down cinema halls.<br /><br />Hence, they have also demanded that they should be allowed to close down the theatre if it does not give them profitable returns.<br /><br />Boards displaying "Black Diwali" can already be seen on cinema halls.<br /><br />Though a divide within the same business is clear enough, what impact the strike will create, is still a crucial question. <br /><br />The effect may not be very prominent as multiplexes will be running in full swing, however, it should be kept in mind that every suburb in Mumbai still goes without a multiplex. <br /><br />In a huge city like Mumbai people still patronise the age-old single screen cinema houses. But then, as the cinema hall owners have claimed, those who cannot afford to go to multiplexes mainly will be deprived of entertainment.<br /><br />The Samjawadi Party in Mumbai has also complained against the highly-priced tickets at multiplexes. They feel that it deprives the common man from visiting them. <br /><br />This issue has put the government under great pressure. And with elections round the corner, they have to be very careful.<br /></div> </div>