Centre should exempt tax on ‘The Kashmir Files’: Baghel

Amid a demand by the BJP to make ‘The Kashmir Files’ tax free in Chhattisgarh, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Wednesday said the Centre should give a tax break to the movie as it gets a portion of the tax from states.

Speaking after Question Hour, Leader of Opposition Dharamlal Kaushik of the BJP said ‘The Kashmir Files’ should be exempted from tax in Chhattisgarh.

Responding, the Chief Minister said: The Government of India also gets a share in the tax. Therefore, the Centre should exempt the movie from tax in the entire country.

“After the introduction of Goods and Services Tax (GST), half the share goes to the Centre. The Centre should declare the film tax-free in the country,” he said.

When opposition persisted with the demand, Baghel said: “Let’s go to watch this film.”

The Chief Minister along with his Cabinet ministers and legislators later saw the film at a special show booked for them in a Mall here on Wednesday evening.

Written and directed by Vivek Agnihotri and produced by Zee Studios, the film depicts the exodus of Kashmiri Hindus from Kashmir following systematic killings of members of the community by Pakistan-backed terrorists.