PANJIM: Bringing ‘tiatr’ under Goods and Services Tax (GST) ambit will kill the “essence of Goa”, TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai said and added that government will approach the GST council for exemption of ‘tiatr’.
Explaining in detail, Sardessai said that the tiatrists have three seasons a year. First season is from October to Carnival, during which 20 tiatrs are released, while another ten are released during the second season from Easter to rainy season. The third season is held from June to October showcasing 15 tiatrs.
“So on an average 50-60 tiatrs are released every year providing employment to 250-300 people,” he said adding that behind one tiatr, they spend around Rs 65,000.
“Their earning means profit behind each show is around Rs 20,000 but now they will have to shell out Rs 18,000 as GST,” he added.
“Result is no profit no loss and under such situation why will anyone do tiatr? And if no incentives are provided, the tiatr will close down,” the Minister commented. “We will be killing the essence of Goa,” he said.
Sardessai said hence efforts are on for getting them out of GST. “CM will represent before GST council. We will make a strong case,” he said.
