Nagpur News.
A private event at hotel Sun n Sand on Wardha road was smartly toned up with commercial element without bringing the actual fact to the knowledge of city’s Entertainment Tax Department. The ghazal night to be presented by renowned ghazal artist and Bollywood background singer Pankaj Udhas on Saturday evening turned into commercial venture with the tickets sold at Rs 2,000, Rs 3,000 and Rs 4,000, respectively. Last minutes sale were reportedly rampant at the venue.
When Nagpur Today contacted Entertainment Tax department, the senior incharge Kaviraj Kamble informed that the department had received letter regarding permission of private event at Sun n Sand and there was no mention of ticket prices into it. It was mentioned in the letter that the show would have entry strictly through passes and would not be charged for.
Nagpur based event management company Fiable Entertainment was organizing the show for Sun n Sand which has conducted it for a private club event. However the organizers have kept 50 seats reserved for those who are not club members and willing to watch Pankaj Udhas performing live. The ticket prices for these 50 seats were kept at Rs 2,000, Rs 3,000 and Rs 4,000. This eventually translates into the private event making big moolah in the garb of showing it as non-commercial.
When Nagpur Today brought this to the knowledge of Entertainment Tax Department, Kamble claimed ignorance in this regard. “We don’t know anything about that”, he reverted.
When contacted, Fiable Entertainment Company too remained tight lipped over the tickets being sold instead of keeping the pass entry.
District Collector Saurabh Rao, who was also reportedly invited at the event, is the head of Entertainment Tax department. Nagpur Today tried to reach Rao through calls and SMS but he could not be contacted.
… Rajeev Kushwaha
