Minister for Infrastructure Development, Information and Public Relations and Haj R. Roshan Baig on Friday took a u-turn on the issue of regulating multiplexes operating in the city by defending the exorbitant ticket rates charged in the multiplexes.
The Minister had earlier said that the Government proposed to introduce uniform ticket rates at multiplexes on the lines of a similar system in Tamil Nadu. He had flayed multiplexes for charging exorbitant rates and said that if Tamil Nadu has a policy for the theatres, Karnataka too can have one.
However, on Friday replying to queries by presspersons the Minister said the existing multiplexes cannot be regulated. "If we want good ambience in the theatres, clean toilets and other facilities while watching a film, we have to pay more," he said adding that regulations can be put in place for new multiplexes that are coming up.
He said he had watched a movie in a multiplex recently and had found good facilities including clean toilets. "If the ticket rates are cheap such facilities cannot be provided," he said.
Reiterating the Government was firm on its proposal to start its own cable television network, the Minister said, "I will meet the Union Telecom Minister next month and discuss this issue. I am looking at offering 100 channels for Rs 100," he said.
"We are aware about how people are fleeced by cable operators who charge around Rs. 400 for a connection. Their argument is that they offer 400-500 channels. But who will watch so many channels?," the Minister said.
Likewise, the Government was also firm on starting a government TV channel to telecast proceedings of the legislature, he said.
Meeting on December 30
Stating that the Government was keen on upgrading prominent airports in the State, the Minister said he would met the Union Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapati Raju on December 30 in this regard.
Midday meals for college students
The Government is keen on providing midday meals at subsidised costs to college students. Minister for Infrastructure Development, Information and Public Relations and Haj R. Roshan Baig said the logistics for this scheme had been worked out and talks were on with Isckon. "While each meal will cost Rs 13.50, we plan to charge Rs 5 per meal from students," he said.
