Channels promise to clear a portion of suppliers’ due

The suppliers in the

Tollywood

entertainment industry are still awaiting their payment. After the press meet on Monday, the representatives of Cine Video & Stage Supplier Welfare Association clearly stated that they would stop supply if their dues are not cleared or at least addressed either by the channels or the producers by Thursday. On Friday, Neet Paul,

general

secretary of the association, told us, “We had a meeting with the three main channels and they verbally promised to clear a portion of the dues that are generated by Rana Sarkar’s productions. While one of these two channels has already sent us an email confirmation, the other two have also promised to send us mails on this. We have not stopped our supply yet.”

The association, on Monday, claimed that the industry owes them more than Rs 20 crore till April 30. Approximately 60-70 members of the association play pivotal roles in the making of films and serials by supplying costumes, cameras, lights, furniture,

costume

and

props

. “There are about 600 people, including the family members of our association, who are suffering because of this non-payment. Channels and producers are passing the responsibility to each other. One of our comrades, Sankar Tanti, who is a truck supplier, was on the verge of committing suicide. Since technicians have a strong union and artistes also have their own forum, they have definite schedules for their payments and producers are bound to pay regularly. We are left out,” the general secretary added.