‘Party’ time for administration

The district administration is on course to collect a record revenue in entertainment tax from parties organised across the district — at hotels,pubs,clubs and other venues. In the last few years,the district has witnessed huge business during the New Year Eve celebrations with many entrepreneurs seeing it as a big ticket occasion to get the moneyed to splurge.

“Till now,52 private firms have sought permission to organise New Year party. The district administration has collected Rs 40 lakh as entertainment tax from these event organisers,” said Vithal Chaugule,district entertainment tax officer.

He said the figure is likely to more than double in the next two days and the administration is expecting a revenue collection of over Rs one crore. There has been 10 per cent rise in the collection compared to last year,when 68 firms were given permission to organise New Year parties.

“The administration will continue to give permission till December 31 so that there is more collection for the states treasury,” Chaugule said.

Among the leading tax payers is Hotel Le Meridien,having coughed up Rs 8.7 lakh as tax,followed by Hard Rock Café in Koregaon Park with Rs 3.75 lakh.

The New Year bash is not restricted to the city limits as many now prefer to party outside the city. Of the 52 applications,38 are from the city while 14 are from the rural parts of the district.

In Pune rural,the Sentosa resort in Ravet is leading the way for the party and has paid Rs 2.5 lakh as entertainment tax while Bhandari resort in Lonavala has paid Rs 1.5 lakh.

The district administration will also keep a watch on these parties to ensure that the number of entrants in the events is as per the information furnished with the district collector’s office. A team comprising tehsildar and other officers will be on duty on the night of December 31.

The permission for the party is given on the condition that the organiser procures a no-objection certificate from the police commissionerate for the event.