Gujarat Government provides property tax relief to multiplexes, gym owners.

Multiplexes and cinema halls have scarcely been open since the outbreak began and have been forced to close because of limitations set to control the spread of Covid-19.

The state administration announced on Tuesday a total exemption from property tax for owners of multiplexes, movie halls, and gyms for the fiscal year 2021-22.

The state government’s core committee also determined that these businesses will be exempted from fixed electricity charges for the year.

“The decision is good,” said Manubhai Patel, head of the Gujarat Multiplex Owners’ Association, “as the business has been suffering from losses and most industry players have been driven to put money out of their own pockets to keep the enterprises functioning for the limited time allowed.”

Industry participants believe they should have received this rebate for two years rather than one. The state government extended this relief to restaurant owners, amusement and water parks, and hotels just a day earlier.

“I appreciate the government’s decision. However, based on the number of enquiries we have received, we anticipate that gyms will now be permitted to open for business. We have rent and expenses to pay, and a lot of people rely on these industries for a living,” said a gym owner who did not want to be identified.

On Tuesday, industry players demanded measures to enable their survival and revival in a meeting with Jawahar Chawda, the minister of state for tourism, and travel agents and tour operators.

Besides property tax, energy bills, and GST payments, the Gujarat chapter of the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) requested that steps be done to revitalize tourism. They also requested RTO tax exemptions for bus and taxi companies, as well as interest-free working capital loans.