CM promises to slash VAT

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“No one can predict winners in films and politics,” said Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy at the state Nandi Awards function at the Lalitha Kala Thoranamon on Friday. “In both, films and elections, even pundits find it difficult to predict which film will be a hit and which candidate will win, since there is no set formula for success,” he said. Mr Kiran Kumar Reddy promised to look into the abolition of the five per cent VAT and said that he has already instructed his officials to look into the matter. “We’ll take a decision soon,” he added.

Honouring the Telugu film fraternity, the CM said that cinema could influence society, so more good films should be made. Balakrishna, who bagged the “Best Actor” award for Simha for 2010 said, “It’s my second Nandi award and I cherish it.” Nitya Menon, who received the “Best Actress” award for her Ala Modalaiyindi for 2010 rem-arked, “It’s special for me.”

After receiving the award for his performance in Mestry for 2009, veteran filmmaker Dasari Naray-ana Rao sarcastically said, “I don’t ask for favours from the government for the sake of my sons or brother-in-laws, but the film industry is going through a bad phase, so please abolish VAT to save us from the extra burden.” He also urged the government to sanction a subsidy for housing for low-end cine workers, reminding that late YSR had sanctioned Rs 12 crore for them. The function had a distinct Telangana touch this time, since the entertainment programmes included a lengthy collage of folk songs, skits, bonalu and holi celebrations along with music and dance programmes.