No more fake collection reports; e-ticketing introduced in theatres in Kerala
In a landmark move that will boost the revenue of the Malayalam film industry, Kerala government has launched the e-ticketing system, which has been long in due. This system will ensure transparency in ticket sales and the collection reports from various centres.
Information Kerala Mission (IKM) have developed the software for implementing e-ticketing in cinema theatres. The system has been implemented from today in the Kairali theatre complex, owned by the Kerala State Film Development Corporation (KSFDC) in Thiruvananthapuram.
Within a week, it will be initiated in other centres also. The KSFDC is planning to introduce the system in various phases in all the private cinema theatres in the State. By this system, the 570 thetares in Kerala will be brought under a single server using the software.
IKM was assigned to develop an e-ticketing system by the Local Self Government Department (LSGD), under which the film theatres in the state function. The LSGD gave sanction to develop the software in February this year. IKM is also in the process of developing an app to book tickets.
The previous UDF government had tried to implement the e-ticketing State but had to back off due to the protests from various quarters including the Film Exhibitors Federation. The LSGD had said that the admission to cinema in any place in the state shall be made only with a ticket in electronic form.
With the e-ticketing system, tax will go to the LSGD and the shares of distributors and theatre owners will be deposited in their respective bank accounts. Collections from each day can be referred online.
This move is expected to bring transparency in the film industry where the daily collection reports (DCR) are faked to evade entertainment tax and share of the distributors. This would also help in bringing transparency to the system of allotting theatres and hold-over.
