Haryana exempts golf clubs from entertainment levy

CHANDIGARH - Golf clubs in Haryana have been exempted from payment of entertainment duty, the state cabinet decided here Tuesday.

An official spokesman said that the decision was taken to promote golf in the state.

The state cabinet also decided to reduce the rate of entertainment duty on fun parks and cultural activities from existing 25 percent to 10 percent.

The move follows representations from fun parks and theme parks coming up in different parts of the state over the last few years, for exemption from payment of entertainment duty on the ground that they are providing neat and clean entertainment wherein children can entertain themselves by enjoying joy-rides or water rides.

The Haryana government was informed that other states like Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat and Delhi were not levying entertainment tax on such fun parks.

Likewise, organisers of cultural programmes, including plays, musical concerts, dances, fashion shows also sought exemption from tax, saying that such activities cannot be compared with cinema shows since these were not being held regularly.

The decision on both categories will cost the government nearly Rs.10 crore in revenue annually.