Ticket prices: 11 movie theaters seized for violating rules in Andhra

Vijayawada: AP: Eleven movie theatres were seized in Krishna District for selling tickets at exorbitant rates on Wednesday.

Special teams formed by the Municipal, Revenue, and Police department conducted checks on movie theatres to find out whether standard ticket rates, fire safety norms, and Covid protocol are being followed.

Later authorities seized Ramakrishna picture palace and Sri Venkateswara talkies at Avanigadda Mandal, Natraj theatre and Durga Mahal theatre at Bantumilli Mandal, Sagar picture palace at Challapalli Mandal, Lakshmi theatre in Koduru Mandal, Satya Sai Cini theatre in Movva Mandal, Santhi theatre in Nagayalanka Mandal, Bommarillu Mini in Gudivada Mandal, Gaga Mahal in Pamarru Mandal and Sangamithra in Mylavaram Mandal.

Theatres were found selling tickets for higher prices. Plus they lacked fire safety norms. They were also found selling food at exorbitant prices. A Rs 20 water bottle was sold for Rs 50.

Superintendent of Police, Krishna District Siddharth Kaushal conducted special checks at the cinema theatres in Machilipatnam, inquired about the online sale of tickets. He also interacted with moviegoers.

He told the theatre owners that the onus of any black marketing of tickets in the surrounding areas will lie on them. He asked the owners to display a rate list of food items on canteen notice boards.

Prakasam District Collector Pravin Kumar who inspected Ratna Mahal theatre warned strict action if tickets and food are sold at higher prices.

It may be noted that Andhra Pradesh High Court suspended the GO 35 and directed to sell tickets under the old system. The state government filed an appeal challenging the single-judge bench order. The next hearing is on Thursday.