Telangana govt revokes ticket price hike for actor Ram Charan's 'Game Changer'
Hyderabad, Jan 12: The Telangana government has revoked its earlier orders allowing an increase in ticket prices for actor Ram Charan starrer 'Game Changer'.
Complying with the High Court directives, the government said early morning shows will not be permitted in future 'until public interest, health and safety are duly considered'.
The orders withdrawing permission for screening the movie with enhanced rates would be effective from January 16, an official statement said on Saturday night.
Following a request made by the makers of 'Game Changer', the state government had issued orders on January 3 permitting screening of six shows on January 10 (including extra show at 4 am) with an additional amount of Rs 150 for multiplex theatres and Rs 100 for single theatres.
It also allowed screening of five shows from January 11 to 19 (for nine days) with an additional amount of Rs 100 for multiplex theatres and Rs 50 for single theatres.
While allowing additional shows and hike in prices, the government had said advertisements on adverse impact of narcotics and drugs and cyber crime should be screened.
However, the High Court passed interim directions on January 10 to review the decision issued ... in enhancing the ticket rates on Rs 150 for multiplex and Rs 100 for single theatres from the regular rates, within 24 hours from the date of receipt of a copy of the order... and also to not allow early morning shows.
Opposition BRS MLA T Harish Rao on January 10 criticised the Congress government for allowing ticket price hike though state Cinematography Minister K Venkata Reddy spoke against it in the Legislative Assembly in the wake of the death of a woman in a stampede on December 4, 2024, at the premiere of Allu Arjun starrer 'Pushpa-2'.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
KSDL invites innovative technology to check sandalwood theft
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka government has invited farmers, scientists and organisations to come up with innovative technologies to prevent sandalwood theft in the state.
The state-owned Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Limited (KSDL), which manufactures Mysuru Sandal Soap has also planned sandalwood cultivation, state Large and Medium Industries Minister M B Patil said on Thursday.
"In a bid to promote sandalwood cultivation, the KSDL has planned a major initiative. As part of it, farmers, scientists, and organisations possessing information on advanced equipment or innovative technologies to prevent sandalwood theft have been invited to approach KSDL and share the details," Patil said in a statement.
Those interested in this initiative will be given an opportunity to demonstrate such technologies before the organisation, the minister said, adding if the proposed solutions are found suitable and effective, steps will be taken for consideration and implementation.
Patil stated that the cost involved in deploying technologies aimed at preventing sandalwood theft would be borne by KSDL.
Further, with a view to encouraging sandalwood cultivation, four farmers who have supplied the highest quantity of sandalwood to KSDL will be honoured with awards on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar on June 4, he said.
On the same occasion, police personnel and forest officials who have made notable progress in apprehending sandalwood thieves and registering cases, along with members of the public who have provided credible information leading to such action, will also be recognised and rewarded, the minister added.
Patil observed that farmers cultivating sandalwood trees on their lands have been facing increasing threats due to theft in recent years. Illegal felling and theft of sandalwood trees have continued for decades.
Although stringent laws are in place to curb such activities, the number of cases resulting in convictions remains very low, he noted.
"In this context, it becomes the responsibility of the organisation to extend both legal and technical support to farmers and encourage them to take up sandalwood cultivation on a larger scale," he said.
According to him, over the past three years, KSDL has procured 174.5 metric tonne of sandalwood directly from farmers across the state and transferred Rs 6.08 crore to their respective accounts.
