Tax on orchestra, celeb performances at weddings, but manpower crunch makes identifying such events difficult

Clueless about city's band baaja shaadis

Tax on orchestra, celeb performances at weddings, but manpower crunch makes identifying such events difficult
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The state government wants marriage halls to pay a tax if they have orchestras or bands performing and if there are appearances by celebrities and artistes. But even if this can be a great revenue generating idea, the state government does not have the manpower to keep a track of whether orchestras or bands are playing at any particular wedding.

Recently, the revenue department had sent notices to wedding halls, lawns and hotels stating they would have to share 20 per cent of the total money they earn if orchestras or bands play at the wedding or paid appearances are made by celebrities and artistes.

But the government would not tax you for using a band for marriage processions.

But with more than 60 wedding halls, lawns and hotels, the entertainment department of the district collectorate that is responsible for the collection of taxes, does not have the manpower to keep a track of whether orchestras or bands are a part of any wedding. A department officer said, "We just have 11 officers to keep track of weddings in the city. Halls and lawns have cropped up in many parts of the city, mostly in suburbs. We have no idea what's happening there."

Following the notice, the department was expected to earn Rs 10 lakh from some big weddings in the city in the past six months. But the department has no idea about the details of weddings in the city.

Gitanjali Shirke, entertainment tax officer said, "We have mentioned the staff crunch to higher officials. It is difficult to keep track of wedding details in the city. We need more manpower."

For the first time after the notice was sent, the department received Rs 75,000 last week from a woman whose son got married. This is the biggest amount they have received till date.u00a0u00a0

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