Home Ministry asks TN govt to revise order on full theatre capacity

New Delhi, January 07: Days after the Tamil Nadu government allowed 100% occupancy in theatre, Union Home Ministry issued a letter to the TN Government and directed them to revoke its decision as states cannot dilute the Centre's guidelines under the Disaster Management Act 2005.

 

It further reminded the Tamil Nadu government that states need to strictly adhere and enforce the government guidelines which have been effective since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.

 

IT further told Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) government that its decision to allow full occupancy in cinema theatres amounted to a “dilution of Ministry of Home Affairs order" issued on 28 December. In view of the above, the GoTN (Government of Tamil Nadu) is requested to immediately issue necessary order to bring their guidelines in line with the MHA guidelines dated 28th December 2020 and inform compliance to this ministry," the letter read.

 

The Guidelines for Surveillance, Containment, and Caution released by the Centre directed that theatres outside containment zones are allowed up to 50 percent occupancy. This directive will be in force till 31 January.

Giving that reminder to the state, a letter from the Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla said the Home Ministry has extended those guidelines till January 31.

 

Pointing to the ministry guidelines the Home Ministry further said, "State/UT governments shall not dilute these guidelines... in any manner and shall strictly enforce the same,."

 

The letter also cited a Supreme Court order that asked states to enforce Covid-appropriate behavior, including wearing of masks and maintaining social distancing.

 

Tamil Nadu, which had opened cinema halls with 50 percent occupancy in November, will have its assembly elections later this year. Tamil Nadu was the first state to allow 100 percent occupancy in movie theatres. However, the Home Ministry has so far allowed 50 percent occupancy in movie theatres outside containment zones as part of the phased unlock process.