The India Post, Chandigarh, 7th November, 2008 : Adviser to the UT Administrator, Mr. Pradip Mehra, chaired the meeting of the Managing Body of the Tagore Theatre Society, held today in relation of the Tagore Theatre at Conference Hall, UT Secretariat, Sector 9, Chandigarh. Major decisions were taken on the issues relating to the appointment of full time Director for Tagore Theatre Society and rate revision.
UT Home-cum-Cultural Secretary, Mr. Ram Niwas in the meeting proposed that a professional with background of theatre, art and other cultural activities to be appointed as the Director of Tagore Theatre, who could envisage, visualize, conceptualize and work out various programmes and promote Tagore Theatre as the fulcrum of social, cultural and literary activities. It was decided in the meeting that expression of interest will soon be called for the appointment of full time Director, till then Director Public Relations and Cultural Affairs, UT, would look after the charge in addition to his own duties.
As Tagore Theatre has been renovated and revamped involving a huge amount and professional expertise, members in the meeting were of the favor of rate revision as, this would help in the maintenance and up-gradation of the theatre. A detailed discussion was made for the issue of Rate Revision which directly affects the artists, organizations, amateurs, private bodies etc. who hire the Theatre for different purposes.
It was decided that rate for the functions by Government Organization and Amateur artists, the rates would be Rs. 3000 excluding 12.36% Service Tax and Education Cess. For Non Government Cultural programmes like Mushaira, Kavi Samelans, Musical events, which are neither sponsored nor tickets are issued for them, would be charged Rs. 10,000 excluding 12.36% Service Tax and Education Cess. Tariff for the Private/Public Schools, colleges, semi-Government Organizations, Autonomous Body, NGOs and Charitable organizations will be Rs. 15,000 excluding 12.36% Service Tax and Education Cess whereas for commercial purposes where there are sponsor’s or entry by tickets the charges are fixed as Rs. 50,000 excluding 12.36% Service Tax and Education Cess. Booking for Rehearsal Hall equipped with AC will cost Rs. 3000 excluding 12.36% Service Tax and Education Cess, while without AC Rehearsal Hall would cost Rs. 1000 excluding 12.36% Service Tax and Education Cess. The aforesaid rates would be applicable for a show of 4 hours and for every extra hour charges in Multiple of Pro-Rata Rate on hourly basis will be charged.
Representative of DPR, Haryana apprised that they have increased the grant-in-aid to the tune of Rs. 5 lakh, it was further decided that the DPR, UT will also enhance the grant-in-aid accordingly.
UT Finance Secretary, Mr. Sanjay Kumar, Deputy Commissioner, Mr. R.K. Rao, Chief Architect, Ms. Sumit Kaur, Director Public Relations, Mr. R.S. Verma, Former DPI (S), Mr. S. K. Setia and officials from Engineering Department were present during the meeting.