Liquor,cinema shows to be costly in Shimla

Reacting to the proposal to raise entertainment tax,Sahil Sharma,a young entrepreneur who owns a local theatre,said: “Nowhere in the country cinema owners are charged Rs 1,000 for five shows in a day. We are going to close down the threatre as it will not be viable to run the show.”

As per budget proposals,the corporation will have an income of Rs 110.83 crore during next year and expenditure of Rs 250.07 crore. But it has sought waiving of a liability of Rs 6.41 crore as arrears of streetlighting charges and another Rs 139.28 crore from the Irrigation and Public Health Department for bulk supply of drinking water.

The corporation has proposed to levy green tax on all outside vehicles entering Shimla during next year,besides raising garbage collection charge and increasing water tariff rates.

Earlier in the day,the corporation withdrew proposal to outsource certain inhouse services instead of filling up its vacant posts.

During the day,CPM activists gheraoed Municipal Commissioner M P Sood for allowing favours to certain individuals close to the ruling party in raising “illegal constructions”.