PVR running on lapsed license: GHMC

Hyderabad: The GHMC on Tuesday issued notices to PVR Cinemas in Hyderabad Central for running its business on expired trade licence. Surprisingly, the GHMC commissioner, deputy commissioner and trade licence officer came up with different reasons for the action.

While GHMC commissioner D.S. Lokesh Kumar, who took over earlier in the day, said the notices were issued for not clearing property tax dues worth Rs 2 crore, Khairatabad deputy commissioner Geetha Radhika said the civic body had issued notices as the establishment did not possess trade licence for theatres. She said that the management has been clearing the trade licence bills pertaining to the canteen at PVR cinemas.

She said that the corporation would seize theatres in PVR Cinemas if the management did not respond for the notices issued within 48 hours.

Dr Bhargav Narayana, assistant medical officer of health, came with a different version. He said PVR Cinemas had been running the business on temporary trade licence which would be valid for three months from the date of receipt and it had expired a year ago.

Asked whether the property was in compliance with fire safety norms and had sufficient parking space, Dr Narayana said that for acquiring permanent trade licence the management has to submit documents like Aadhaar and rental agreement and checks pertaining to safety are done only later.

Surprisingly, the GHMC on several occasions has claimed that the trade licence will not be issued without checking fire safety and parking space.