MUMBAI: The single window clearance for events in Delhi is likely to boost the number of events as well as revenue by 30-50 per cent.

Further to this development, after Delhi, the Event and Entertainment Management Association (EEMA) is now in talks with the state of Maharashtra for implementing the system in the state.

“We are in talks with the government of Maharashtra and they have been very supportive. We are very hopeful that the system will be implemented soon. Everyone including the CM Devendra Fadnavis, Aditya Thackeray, Uddhav Thackeray is in favour of getting single window clearance,” said EEMA president Sabbas Joseph.  

For more than a couple of months, EEMA was working for the single window clearance to be implemented in Delhi.  This process will be effective for all events from 1 September, 2015. EEMA is optimistic about the process being implemented in Maharashtra as the state government is extending their support to the body. He feels that with the implementation of single window clearance, the organisers will not have to run around for permissions and the process will be hassle free.  

Commenting on the process, Joseph added, “This is a first step. With this, the city will witness an increase in the number of events and revenue by 30-50 per cent.”  

In Delhi, there will be a nodal officer who will look after the single-window licensing process, which will make the business easy for EEMA member companies. The EEMA members can do ticketed events in the capital without paying entertainment tax before the event.

The decision was preceded by a series of meetings between the national executive committee of EEMA and the Delhi government led by chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia and tourism minister Kapil Mishra. Following a detailed EEMA representation, the chief minister appointed a nodal officer to engage with EEMA and find solutions in the shortest possible time.

Joseph added, “There will be transparency between parties involved.”

He also added that this will help promoters of the event to price the event slightly lower than otherwise.

Commenting on the single window clearance in Delhi, Viacom 18 SVP and business head Jaideep Singh said, "The latest developments introduced for EEMA by the Delhi Government will fuel the growth of live experiences in the Northern market. This is a right time for these changes to be introduced since the season of live festivals is about to commence and it will only create better infrastructure of experimental activities. Also, it is a great model that should be replicated by other states, to fuel the growth of live event naturally."

Go Live partner Varkey Patani said, “It will provide some structure to this chaotic business and help us budget exact numbers towards producing an event. We hope that in the years to come, more such elements are taken care of by one trusted body. This will avoid last minute stress and will help event producers to a great extent. I strongly feel all the licensing and permissions should fall under one body to make life simpler for everyone with appropriate standardised rate cards.”

The talk on single window clearance gained momentum after OML's Vijay Nair along with EEMA, approached various states for the same. This move was in the light of the cancellation of the much-hyped Jerry Seinfeld live concert. Radioandmusic.com tried contacting Nair for the same, he remained unavailable to comment. 

Through regular interactions with the Delhi Government and Commissioner - Excise, Entertainment and Luxury Tax, the following directives have been issued:

Ticketed Events in Delhi:

- EEMA members will now be able to organise their ticketed events in Delhi without submitting any entertainment tax before the event.

-  Tax as per the ticket sale can be deposited after the completion of the event. Earlier this was to be done prior to ticket selling permissions being given.

-  To facilitate this arrangement, EEMA shall enter into an MOU with the Department of Entertainment Tax.

-  EEMA similarly would formulate guidelines for its members availing of this facility.

-  EEMA will also be submitting a Bank Guarantee of a stipulated amount as a surety on behalf of its members.

Licensed Auditoriums under single window clearance:

-  23 auditoriums in the city have been issued a permanent license for holding an event.

-  In another major development to achieve ease of doing business, more such venues are under consideration.

Single Window Clearance: reducing licensing hurdles:

- The government is in the process of bringing Entertainment Tax, Fire, MCD and Electricity under the purview of a single-window clearance.

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