Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday landed himself in an embarrassing position by ''paying higher price'' and watching Rajamouli's Telugu blockbuster Baahubali-The Conclusion.
It may be recalled that in the budget presented by him on March 15, h e proposed to cap the prices in multiplexes.
According to sources in the Chief Minister's Secretariat, Mr. Siddaramaiah, along with son Dr. Yathindra and grandchildren, watched the 1.30 p.m. show at Bengaluru’s Orion Mall in Golden Class.
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Spiking the rumours that the Chief Minister watched the film along with family and friends numbering 40, sources said that Mr. Siddaramaiah saw the film along with the general public who paid Rs.1050 a ticket. "He, his son and grandchildren watched the film and no one else accompanied him" clarified a senior official on condition of anonymity.
The sources said Mr. Siddaramaiah was under pressure from his grandchildren to watch the film with them.
The Chief Minister's order on capping the ticket price at Rs.200 in all single screens and multiplexes is yet to be implemented owing to the apathy of officials, it is alleged.
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The Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) and Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy (KCA), which were instrumental in forcing the government to cap the ticket rates, did not comment on Mr. Siddaramaiah watching the film by allegedly paying higher prices.
"The file pertaining to capping the prices has reached the Chief Minister's Office after getting the consent from the Finance and Planning departments. In all probability, the order will be issued on Tuesday", said KFCC president Sa. Ra. Govindu, who played an important role in capping the price of tickets.