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Board for Bollywood workers likely: Maha Labour Minister

Maharashtra Government is planning to set up a welfare board for thousands of junior artistes and workers employed in Bollywood, aimed at providing them social security.

Mumbai: Maharashtra Government is planning to set up a welfare board for thousands of junior artistes and workers employed in Bollywood, aimed at providing them social security. "The Union Labour Ministry has in principle agreed to our proposal. This will benefit the industry actors, spotboys, lightsmen and make-up artists," Labour Minister Nawab Malik
told reporters. The board would provide benefits like life insurance, medical aid, provident fund and pension to a large number of unorganised backstage workers, Malik said. "The objective of the board is to give social security to junior and backstage artists, about 80 percent of the coming from Mumbai," the minister said. In order to bring funds for the board, the Government is considering to increase tax from film producers on release of a film, which is a "measly Rs 20,000" currently, he said. Other options like charging entertainment tax from movie tickets can also be considered, he added. There are about 22 unions of these artists in Bollywood. The registered actors, technicians, artists of the unions would be members of the board, he added. Bureau Report