The film fraternity in Kerala is keeping their fingers even as Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is all set to announce the Union Budget on Saturday. Various unions in the film industry have sought an exemption on GST rates for film tickets between Rs 100 to Rs 500, stating that high tax rates invariably affect theatre footfall. According to Kerala Film Chamber general secretary, Saji Nanthyattu, the Union government should remove the existing 18 percent tax on tickets ranging between Rs 100 to Rs 300, while levying only a five percent tax on tickets between Rs 300 and Rs 500. The association members also sought more financial support from the Union government for the development of the film sector in the state.

The Film Chamber also sought some rate relaxation for film shoots in government offices, including the railways and trains, and demanded the government also set up a regional office of the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) in South India to certify the use of animals in movies. "At the moment, all the application processes related to the use of animals in films are to be sent to Haryana. These applications get involved in red tape, which slows down certain films. Various South Indian Film Chambers have been making this demand for years, but we are yet to find a solution," said Saji.

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The Film Exhibitors United Organisation of Kerala (FEUOK) is confident that Union Minister of State Suresh Gopi's presence in the union ministry will benefit Kerala, this year. "The entertainment industry in Kerala has been sidelined during every budget. We are keeping our fingers crossed this year and hope Kerala will benefit from the budget due to Union Minister of State Suresh Gopi's involvement," said K Vijayakumar, president, FEUOK.

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