A giant leap towards simplifying event licensing in Delhi

A couple of months ago, members of the executive committee of EEMA had met the Chief Minister of Delhi Mr. Arvind Kejriwal, Dy Chief Minister Mr. Manish Sisodia, and several of their colleagues to streamline licensing process in the capital. Following a detailed EEMA representation, the CM had then appointed a nodal officer to engage with EEMA and find solutions to the community’s problems in the shortest possible time.

The efforts and initiatives of EEMA have finally paid off as on 26th August 2015, after meeting with EEMA Treasurer, Rajeev Jain and Patron Michael Menezes, Delhi Govt. & Commissioner - Excise, Entertainment & Luxury Tax has agreed to ease the licensing laws in Delhi and declared that EEMA platinum members will now be able to organize their ticketed events in Delhi without submitting any entertainment tax before the event.

According to the new amendment, the entertainment tax per the ticket sale can now be deposited after the completion of the event itself. In order to facilitate this arrangement, EEMA shall be formulating MOU guidelines for its members & Entertainment Tax Department.

EEMA will also be submitting a Bank Guarantee of a stipulated amount as a surety on behalf of its members. After an approval from EEMA’s Treasury, EEMA members will then be able to do events within that amount without depositing any tax before the event.

Additionally Mr. Sanjay Kumar, Excise commissioner, has also issued a list of 23 auditoriums which have been granted a permanent license for holding an event. These auditoriums include India Habit Center Auditorium Lodhi Road, FICCI auditorium Tansen Marg and India Habitat Centre Auditorium and others.

Mr. Kumar has also shared a detailed report to the CM’s office to bring Entertainment Tax, Fire, MCD & Electricity under the purview of single window clearance for the convenience of the members of the events fraternity.

Sharing his opinion on this major breakthrough, Sabbas Joseph, President EEMA says, “This is indeed a big win. Positive results have started to show and definitely there is more to come. This is a win - win situation for all of us and indeed a big gesture from the government to make Delhi an event-friendly city.

Rajeev Jain, Treasurer EEMA stated, “This is indeed a big bold step by the Delhi Govt. & Dept. of Entertainment Tax. Change in the Entertainment Tax depositing framework for EEMA members is certainly a big gift to the industry and the number of ticketed & corporate events in the city will see a steep rise.

Vijay Nair, Secretary, EEMA shared his opinions by stating, “This is certainly an encouraging development for the fraternity which could not have come at a better time. However, I fervently believe that is just the beginning and there is still a long way to go.”