New Delhi, Jan 6 (UNI) Centre on Monday flagged in the Tamil Nadu Government for permitting theaters to screen movies with full capacity in the state was a dilution of the of the Disaster Management Act 2005 and asked the State Government to issue a corrective order for limiting it to 50 percent as per the existing Covid guidelines.
In a letter written to the Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary, Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla on Tuesday said “The Government of Tamil Nadu, through a notification on January 4, has permitted to increase the seating capacity of Cinemas/theaters/multiplexes from existing capacity of 50 percent to 100 percent by following the Standard Operative Procedure (SOPs). This amounts to dilution of MHA order dated 28th December, 2020 issued under DM Act 2005”.
Referring to the MHA Covid 19 management guidelines issued earlier and has been extended till January 31,Mr Bhalla said that para 21and 23 of these guidelines which state that the State/UT Government shall not dilute these guidelines issued under DM Act 2005.
In the official communication to the State Chief Secretary K shanmugam, he also said that the Supreme Court’s direction on December 18 last year, that all State and UT, inter-alia for strict enforcement of guidelines, SoPs issued by the Union/ State Governments and for strict compliance on COVOID – Appropriate behaviour such as wearing of mask, keeping social distancing, the stern action must be taken against those who are violating the guidelines or SoPs.
On January 4 the TN Government has permitted 100 percent occupancy in cinema halls across the state days ahead of the Pongal festival when big theatrical releases are generally scheduled whereas as per the MHA’s guidelines for COVID management allow all the cinema halls to operate with only 50 percent of capacity till January 31.
