Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal on 16th September presented government subsidy cheques to five entrepreneurs to set up new cinema halls. Subsidies are also being granted to reopen and renovate closed and old cinemas to help the entertainment industry of the state. The subsidy scheme is being implemented by the Assam State Film (Finance and Development) Corporation Ltd.
The subsidy for building new cinema halls is Rs. 75 lakh or 25% of the cost. For renovation of cinema halls, the subsidy amount is Rs. 25 lakh. For restarting old cinemas, the subsidy amount is Rs. 50 lakh. The government released 40% of the subsidy under the scheme. The chief minister lamented that the pandemic had adversely affected the livelihoods of people associated with the film industry.
Those granted subsidy to open new cinemas are Jonaki Cinema in Tezpur, Kelvin Cinema in Guwahati, Zelimax in Bongaigaon, Chhaya Cinema in Hallin Tangla, and PG Enterprise in Nagaon. For reopening and renovation, the subsidy recipients are Indrapuri Cinema in Barpeta, Anuradha Cine Complex in Guwahati, Nakshatra Cinema in Lakhimpur, Mayapuri Cinema in Bongaigaon, and Nazira Film Co-op. Societies in Nazira.