T’puram: Mayor V V Rajesh on Wednesday warned cinema theatres of stringent action if they fail to comply with the conditions stipulated in their licences, amid complaints over exorbitant prices of food products and deficiencies in facilities provided to moviegoers.The mayor held a meeting with cinema theatre owners and operators to discuss complaints regarding the alleged violation of licensing conditions. Though the corporation does not have the authority to fix or regulate the prices of products sold inside theatres, Rajesh directed theatre owners to keep prices under control and ensure that basic facilities are provided to public.A major decision taken at the meeting was that free drinking water must be made available at the entrance of every theatre and in front of all doors. Theatre managements were also directed not to impose restrictions on customers carrying food meant for children into the cinema halls.The mayor said adequate parking facilities should be provided within theatre premises for vehicles of moviegoers. He also warned that action would be taken against theatres found violating fire and safety norms. Instances had been noticed where equipment was removed and additional seats installed after obtaining the fire and rescue services clearance, he said.Complaints regarding bag inspections at theatres were also discussed. Rajesh said women’s bags should be checked only by female security personnel and that searches should not violate the dignity or privacy of individuals.The mayor also directed theatre owners to ensure proper disposal of waste. Handing over waste to unauthorised agencies is illegal, and theatres should entrust their waste only to agencies approved by the corporation.Theatres found violating licensing conditions have been given time to rectify the deficiencies. The corporation will hold another meeting with theatre owners after 15 days to review compliance, the mayor said.He added that inspections would not be confined to cinema theatres and that the corporation would conduct stringent checks at other establishments serving food.The corporation had inspected 63 hotels the previous day, issued notices to 28 establishments and sealed 14 establishments, Rajesh said. Future enforcement action would be taken in accordance with existing laws and Supreme Court judgments, he added.
