Under pressure from the domestic traders, Kerala government has slapped a 10 per cent surcharge on the big retail chains, thus becoming the first state in the country to impose such a levy on super and hyper markets run by monopolies.
The proposal in this regard, made by state Finance Minister T M Thomas Isaac in the budget presented in March, came into effect with assembly adopting Finance Bill 2008-09 yesterday.
The surcharge would be applicable on retail chains, including direct marketing chains, which import at least 50 per cent of their stock from outside the state or the country.
Commercial ventures, whose 75 per cent of the total business is in retail space and total turn over exceeds Rs 5 crore a year would come under the purview of the surcharge.
The retail chains run by the state and those in the co-operative sector such as Civil Supplies Corporation and Consumerfed, would, however, be exempted from the levy.
Curbing the entry of both national and multinational monopolies in retail sector has been an openly acknowledged policy of the ruling party.
The coalition, however, is aware of the constraints it has in imposing total ban on monopolies and that it could only restrict them through regulatory measures like additional levies.
The well-organised trading community in Kerala has been spearheading a campaign demanding tough measures to curb big retail chains and earlier this month organised a statewide shutdown to press its demand.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Monday, June 23, 2008
Reliance, Walmart eyeing Malayalam film industry
Kochi, India - Another controversy is brewing in the Malayalam film industry with the MACTA Federation today alleging that Reliance, Walmart and Tatas have signed up at least three top actors, including Mamooty and Mohanlal, besides 10 reputed film directors, for their coming films.
This will destroy the industry and the directors,including Priyardarshan, Fasil, Siddiq, Joshi, Lal Jose, who broke away from the Malayalam Cine Technicians Association (MACTA) should withdraw from any agreement they have reached with the companies, Federation Treasurer, Baiju Kottarakara, told reporters here.
Three top actors -- Mamooty, Mohanlal and Dileep have taken an advance of Rs 50 lakh each, he alleged. ÒReliance is undertaking the cabling work of at least 400 theatres in the state, he said.
The directors and actors have been 'bought' by the top companies, he said, adding that they have been booked by them to direct and act in only their films for the next five years. This will hit the ordinary film industry worker and destroy the trade union movement and they should withdraw from such an agreement, he said.
Reacting to the allegation, director Siddiq, who was the first to break away from the federation, following MACTA's decision to boycott Dileep, who refused to act in a film by director Thulasidas, said attempts are being made by MACTA to 'tarnish' the reputation of directors by coming out with such 'wild allegations'.
The Federation office bearers are desperate to keep their chairs intact and so were coming out with the allegations, he said and added that neither he nor any other film directors had signed any such agreement.
'Big corporates entry will destroy Malayalam film industry'
A controversy is brewing in the Malayalam film industry, with the cine technicians association today claiming that the purported entry of corporate houses in this medium would destroy the regional cinema industry.
The Malayalam Cine Technicians Association alleged that some corporate houses have signed up at least three top actors, including Mamooty and Mohanlal, besides 10 reputed film directors, for their upcoming films.
This will destroy the Malayalam film industry and the directors including Priyardarshan, Fasil, Siddiq, Joshi, Lal Jose, who broke away from the MACTA, should withdraw from any agreement they have reached with the companies, Federation Treasurer, Baiju Kottarakara, told reporters here.
He alleged that three top actors Mamooty, Mohanlal and Dileep have taken an advance of Rs 50 lakh each.
The directors and actors have been 'bought' by the top companies, he said, adding that they have been booked by them to direct and act in only their films for the next five years. This will hit the ordinary film industry worker and destroy the trade union movement and they should withdraw from such an agreement, he said.
Reacting to the allegation, director Siddiq, who was the first to break away from the federation, following MACTA's decision to boycott Dileep, who refused to act in a film by director Thulasidas, said attempts are being made by MACTA to 'tarnish' the reputation of directors by coming out with such 'wild allegations'.
The Federation office bearers are desperate to keep their chairs intact and so were coming out with the allegations, he said and also added that neither he nor any other film directors had signed any such agreement.
This will destroy the industry and the directors,including Priyardarshan, Fasil, Siddiq, Joshi, Lal Jose, who broke away from the Malayalam Cine Technicians Association (MACTA) should withdraw from any agreement they have reached with the companies, Federation Treasurer, Baiju Kottarakara, told reporters here.
Three top actors -- Mamooty, Mohanlal and Dileep have taken an advance of Rs 50 lakh each, he alleged. ÒReliance is undertaking the cabling work of at least 400 theatres in the state, he said.
The directors and actors have been 'bought' by the top companies, he said, adding that they have been booked by them to direct and act in only their films for the next five years. This will hit the ordinary film industry worker and destroy the trade union movement and they should withdraw from such an agreement, he said.
Reacting to the allegation, director Siddiq, who was the first to break away from the federation, following MACTA's decision to boycott Dileep, who refused to act in a film by director Thulasidas, said attempts are being made by MACTA to 'tarnish' the reputation of directors by coming out with such 'wild allegations'.
The Federation office bearers are desperate to keep their chairs intact and so were coming out with the allegations, he said and added that neither he nor any other film directors had signed any such agreement.
'Big corporates entry will destroy Malayalam film industry'
A controversy is brewing in the Malayalam film industry, with the cine technicians association today claiming that the purported entry of corporate houses in this medium would destroy the regional cinema industry.
The Malayalam Cine Technicians Association alleged that some corporate houses have signed up at least three top actors, including Mamooty and Mohanlal, besides 10 reputed film directors, for their upcoming films.
This will destroy the Malayalam film industry and the directors including Priyardarshan, Fasil, Siddiq, Joshi, Lal Jose, who broke away from the MACTA, should withdraw from any agreement they have reached with the companies, Federation Treasurer, Baiju Kottarakara, told reporters here.
He alleged that three top actors Mamooty, Mohanlal and Dileep have taken an advance of Rs 50 lakh each.
The directors and actors have been 'bought' by the top companies, he said, adding that they have been booked by them to direct and act in only their films for the next five years. This will hit the ordinary film industry worker and destroy the trade union movement and they should withdraw from such an agreement, he said.
Reacting to the allegation, director Siddiq, who was the first to break away from the federation, following MACTA's decision to boycott Dileep, who refused to act in a film by director Thulasidas, said attempts are being made by MACTA to 'tarnish' the reputation of directors by coming out with such 'wild allegations'.
The Federation office bearers are desperate to keep their chairs intact and so were coming out with the allegations, he said and also added that neither he nor any other film directors had signed any such agreement.
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