Now, corporation eyes reel income
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The cash-strapped city corporation, in a bid to find out new sources of income, plans to levy a fee on film shooting.
Though the city is a favourite location for film-makers, the local body has had no role in such reel activities so far.
Film-makers use the open space and public spots in Fort Kochi and Mattancherry without paying a dime to any civic authority.
So far, shooting in such places has been a free-of-cost exercise.
Now, the local body plans to impose `5,000 per day for shooting, which will help in enhancing its revenue.
“At present, the corporation has no mechanism to monitor film shooting in West Kochi areas like Fort Kochi and Mattancherry.
The film-makers, after getting permission from the district administration, shoot for 15 days to one month.
Though permission is needed to shoot films on corporation property, many of them do not seek prior permission or pay fees,” said Antony Kureethara, councillor of Fort Kochi division.
At a recent corporation council meeting, he said that films were being shot in Fort Kochi without prior sanction from the corporation and the film crew invariably caused damage to the property owned by the civic body.
Drains, culverts and corporation-owned public places had sustained damage during the shoots, said Mr Kureethara.
Mayor Tony Chammany said that no film shooting would be allowed on corporation property unless special permission was granted and the fees paid.
“Though the corporation’s permission is required for the use of its property for film shooting, film-makers are not complying with any of the norms.
Moreover, the corporation lacks a proper monitoring system to see whether film units are causing damage to its property.
“They should be made liable to pay compensation for the damages,” said K.J Sohan, chairman of the town planning standing committee.
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