Panaji (Goa) Shiv Sena unit of Goa today said that they were “ shocked the way Goa government has been handling the issue of Goods and Service Tax imposed on the tiatr and drama in the State.”
Addressing a press conference in Panaji, party’s vice president Jitesh Kamat and spokesman Rakhi Naik said that the actions of the government reveals that they have been playing ‘drama’ over the entire issue trying to fool the artists and people in the entertainment industry.
This is what Sena leaders told a press conference today:
Sena has already written to the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar to resolve this issue as fast as possible. We were the first one to bring this issue in the public domain as it is concerning state’s two of most important art forms – tiatr and drama. Sena has always remained with the artists as we believe they mirror the real problems in our society through their performances.
The ministers in Manohar Parrikar led government are engaged in borrowing the time over the issue. We are shocked the way, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, Art and Culture minister Govind Gawde and Agriculture minister Vijai Sardesai are taking people for a ride on the issue.
The statement by Sardesai that he would be writing to the chief minister over the issue is not only ‘funny’ but indicates that state government is adopting delaying tactics.
How much time it takes for Vijai to pick up a phone and call Parrikar asking his intervention on urgent basis. Why to write a letter?
Also we fail to understand why Parrikar needs a letter from Vijai Sardesai to act on the issue.
Let us remind you Vijaibab, that real Goenkarponn is lying in tiatr which has been an integral part of state’s entertainment industry since ages.
All the newspapers have been writing against the GST imposition on tiatr and drama. The Chief Minister too must be well aware about the issue. Why is that Parrikar has not moved an inch over it? How long will he sit over it?
The most unusual is the stand taken by Art and Culture Minister Govind Gawde who claimed that the artists are yet to approach him with their grievances.
It is crystal clear that the imposition of GST on tiatr and drama will spell doom for the industry. The tiatr tickets will become expensive and unaffordable. Government has to understand that those who watch tiatr are not necessarily wealthy people but there are economically middle and lower middle class people who have their weekly dose of entertainment through these performances. Similar is the situation with drama.
It is not just GST on ticket alone, but forcing artists pay GST on the honorarium paid to them, will also discourage people from performing on the stage. It is well known fact that the artists are not much paid but still they perform due to their love for the art. But if you tax their income, they will certainly feel pinch.
Shiv Sena appeals Manohar Parrikar led government to prove that they are not anti-minority by moving to the centre to exclude tiatr and drama from the list of GST.
