Congress questions MP government for taxfree 'Hamari Adhuri Kahani'

Two days after Bollywood producer Mahesh Bhatt and actress Vidya Balan paid a courtesy call to Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the Madhya Pradesh government on Wednesday exempted forthcoming film Hamari Adhuri Kahani from entertainment tax in the state.
As the government issued notification, the Congress breathed fire alleging that Chief Minister Chouhan has suddenly been gripped by “Bollywood fascination” exempting far too many commercial films from entertainment tax to oblige the movie fraternity.
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Congress alleged that while BJP government was increasing VAT on petrol, diesel and tariff on electricity – it was favouring Bollywood celebrities with tax exemptions.
“Every month, the Chief Minister announces exemption of entertainment tax from a Bollywood film. The Chief Minister seems suddenly charmed by Bollywood glitterati,” alleged state Congress vice-president Manak Agarwal.
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“Less than a fortnight ago, he exempted Amitabh Bachchan and Deepika Padukone starrer Piku from entertainment tax. We would understand if it was a film with a historical or moral, ethical value for society.
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“But now Hamani Aadhuri Kahani is a romance film. And without judging the contents of the film, how can a government just exempt a purely commercial film venture from taxes just because the film’s producer and heroine paid him a visit?” Manak Agarwal asked.
Congress argued that Vidya Balan as the lead gets into an affair with a hotel magnet and business tycoon played by Emraan Hashmi.
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Speaking to TOI, state Congress chief spokesman KK Mishra said that when Vidya Balan and Mahesh Bhatt met the chief minister and his wife earlier this week, a request was made to make the film tax free.
“CM and his wife were thrilled to meet Vidya Balan and gifted her sarees. And of course, the obligation to make the film tax-free was implemented,” KK Mishra said.
“Our point here is, that on the one hand state government is increasing VAT on petrol and encouraging sale of cigarettes and liquor to earn more revenue. And on the other hand, government exempts tax from entertainment. He is benefiting Bollywood and wrenching the common man with higher tax on petrol. The concept of a welfare state has totally gone out of focus for the Chief Minister,” KK Mishra said.
Congress said they did not protest when TAX was exempted from films like Bhaag Milkha Bhaagor Bhopal a Prayer for Rain.
In August, the Chouhan government exempted Rani Mukherjee starrer Mardaani. “We have read reports that Hamari Aadhuri Kahani is the love story of producer Mahesh Bhatt’s parents Nanabhai Bhatt and Shirin Mohammad Ali. What is the logic in making this film tax free really beats us,” Mishra said.
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