KATHMANDU, Dec 5: The Film Development Board (FDB) has sent letters to several district administration offices and in-land revenue offices, requesting legal action against 11 cinema halls for violating screening regulations.
On Wednesday, FDB Chairman Dinesh DC said that letters had been sent to the district administration offices and revenue offices in Morang, Rupandehi, Makwanpur, Sarlahi, Bara, Surkhet, and Dhankuta, requesting legal action against 11 cinema halls for violating screening regulations.
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"Eleven cinema halls in Morang, Rupandehi, Makwanpur, Sarlahi, Bara, Surkhet, and Dhankuta have been operating for a long time without renewing their licenses," he said. "Some have not paid the film development fee, while others have not even obtained screening permits. We have sent letters to various district administration and in-land revenue offices, requesting legal action against these cinema halls."
Earlier, the FDB had issued a notice warning the cinema halls. Following the notice, 12 cinema halls renewed their licenses, but 11 halls ignored the directive, prompting the issuance of formal letters, he explained.
"Eleven cinema halls have ignored our request, and if they continue to resist legal action, they could face a fine twice the amount of the tickets sold, suspension of screenings, revocation of licenses, and the possibility that the individuals involved may not be allowed to open another cinema hall under their name," the FDB stated.
According to the FDB, there are currently 158 cinema halls across the country with a total of 41,286 seats in operation. The highest number of cinema halls is in Bagmati Province, with 67 halls and 14,659 seats, followed by Madhesh Province with 24 halls and 9,178 seats, and Koshi Province with 26 cinema halls and 6,418 seats. In Lumbini Province, there are 24 cinema halls with 5,922 seats, in Gandaki Province, 14 halls with 4,321 seats, in Karnali Province, 2 halls with 331 seats, and the fewest in Sudurpaschim, which has just one cinema hall with 397 seats.
