Tolly suppliers protest against non-payment

Bengali film and television industry owes crores of money in the market. After the uproars by the artistes and technicians, it is now the suppliers who demanded to clear their dues that amounts to more than Rs 20 crore till April 30 — an approximate amount stated by the Cine Video & Stage Supplier Welfare Association. At a press conference on Monday, the association gave an ultimatum to the channels and the producers till Thursday. “After that we cannot supply any materials to these units any further,” said Neet Paul,

general

secretary, on behalf of the association.

Approximately 60-70 members of the association play pivotal role 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 for this non-payment. Channels and producers are passing the responsibility on 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.

While there is a list of defaulter producers, the association expressed their concern regarding the non-payment of absconding producer Rana Sarkar, who, they alleged, owe them approximately Rs 2.11 crore. “Out of this, Rs 1.35 crore are against invoice raised.

Time

and again his cheques have bounced. While there are several other producers including Subrata Roy, he is the one who has no serial running. Channels are asking us to get an NOC from Rana Sarkar and we are in a

soup

,” Neet Paul said.

While talking to CT, veteran props and costume supplier Anjan Banerjee, who has been in business since 1974, further clarified, “We decided to stop supplying since March 12. However, the channels pleaded to us to resume supply since our action could essentially means no telecast of the serials. They promised to resolve the issue in a few days and then handed over the serials to other producers. It did not solve our problem. Instead, it complicated the matter further.