Nepali film fraternity welcomes new budget, stresses on proper implementation

NL Today

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Kathmandu: Nepali film fraternity has welcomed the new budget saying that provisions regarding the movie industry will help to revive the industry hit hard by the pandemic.

The fiscal budget has announced establishing film studios in all seven provinces. Likewise, the budget has given continuity to ‘Story Bank’ under the Film Development Board set up to produce quality movies and the licensing and renewal have been made free among others.

Akash Adhikari, President at Nepal Film Producers Association is pleased with the budget.

“The budget has addressed most of our demands. The government came up with a lot of promising plans for the movie industry. Some issues have been left out. Let’s hope they will be addressed through another budget,” said Adhikari.

 Adhikari hoped that the budget will be implemented properly.

 The film industry devastated by the pandemic can revive quickly if the budget is implemented systematically, Adhikari added.

Similarly, the budget has provided a 50 percent discount on electricity demand fees for cinema industry and 50 percent off in rents. Likewise, the customs duty on importing movie equipment has been removed.

Actor and filmmaker Deepa Shree Niraula is also optimistic about the new budget and stresses the proper implementation.

 “Every new budget incorporates encouraging provisions for the film industry. But, the provisions are hardly implemented. The budget should be implemented in the right way and at a right time,” Niraula said.