50th Dark day for miniplexes in Ahmedabad city amid uncertainity

The jobs of more than 1200 employees were severely affected, and businesses worth crores were also affected.

Where Hon'ble P.M. Shri. Modi is travelling the world and making Ahmedabad and Gujarat business friendly again, the officials seem to be keeping silent.

More than 1200 employees have lost their jobs and many businessmen have lost crores of rupees. Now invest in Ahmedabad or not? That matter is under discussion.

Adherence to all policy rules along with Fire Safety in Miniplex /Video Cinema in Ahmedabad city as per Collector's orders, yet it has been sealed for 50 days despite the license granted.

Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation without seeking any intimation from the Licensing Authority or giving any prior notice to the owners and operators of the Miniplex/ Video Cinemas sealed the Cinemas, which indicates that their action is unjustified.  

Fully compliant miniplexes/video cinemas have been sealed as per the procedure for obtaining the license notified by the Collector's office and the exhibition industry has hit out at the AMC and asked them for their thought process in not opening the sealed miniplexes/video cinemas who have submitted numerous valid documents at various levels to the AMC and Ministry offices in Gandhinagar.

But since 50 days no one is taking this matter into consideration.

 Our establishments ensure compliance with all fire safety regulations, seating compliance and other necessary norms after thorough scrutiny of all documents attached to the respective application and respective NOC by the license issuing authority.

 Now the thing is that despite full compliance of rules AMC has decided to seal our premises without valid reason.  Today more than 7-8 weeks have passed, but we are still waiting for clarification.”

For establishment of Miniplex/Video Cinemas in Ahmedabad More than INR 100 - 150 crores have been invested.  Sudden seal and lack of clarity regarding removal of seal is not only disrupting their operations but also causing substantial financial loss including but not limited to job security of all employees of such miniplexes/video cinemas.

Founder of Banana Smart Plex Mr. Jenil Shah said, "When the AMC officials came to seal our premises, they made the audience walk out during the ongoing show without issuing any prior notice or giving us an opportunity to present our case.”

Mr. Sanjay Kacchadia, the owner of the S.K.Cinema, said that we have not left a single authority for requesting to open the seal.  The rule for change of purpose in B.U. seems to the sole responsibility of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation. Suddenly came early morning and carried out the sealing process.

The miniplex/video cinema owners have been meeting Chief Minister Shri Bhupendrabhai Patel for the past one and a half months, who also assured that the seal would be removed soon.