GUWAHATI: The Assam Cinema Hall Owners' Association (ACHOA) has decided not to open cinema halls till 13th November. This comes after the Assam government issued guidelines to reopen cinema halls across Assam from October 15, after seven months of COVID-19 induced lockdown.
G Plus spoke to Rajeev Bora, General Secretary of ACHOA who revealed that the association has taken the decision to not open till 13th November citing power dues as the biggest challenge.
"Our lines have been cut since we were unable to pay the electricity bills," said Bora.
The owners have cited concerns of failed electricity dues as a reason for the decision to not reopen.
Another issue has been the fixed charge, which is the minimum charge that is to be paid for electricity. The operators have been levied an additional penalty for not using electricity in the lockdown.
"For 7 months all cinema halls were closed and we were not the ones who decided to close it. It was a global pandemic. Isn't this Gunda Raj?" expressed Bora.
The owners have approached Naba Kumar Doley, Minister of Cultural Affairs, who has taken up the issue in the department.
"We will have to discuss the problems with the state power board," the Minister told G Plus.
