KOCHI: The Kerala Film Exhibitors Federation (KFEF) has come out against a government order mandating that all cinema theatres in the State switch to e-ticketing, by adopting a software developed by a private company.
The KFEF alleged that the order was issued without reviewing the existing system, and would result in monopolisation of the e-ticketing facility by the company.
Though the Federation had called a strike from Monday, in protest against the government order, it withdrew the agitation on Saturday after the government promised to review the order within 60 days.
Representatives of the Federation said the order came even as most theatres in the State had already switched to e-ticketing, using software developed by independent entities.
“Most of the major theatres have full-fledged e-ticketing systems, based on world-class software like Vista. Multiplexes have their own software for providing the facility. The order, which makes it mandatory for all theatres to migrate to the new software, is ill-intentioned,” said Federation president Liberty Basheer, adding that the government had even denied permission to some theatres that developed their own software, like Savitha theatre in Kannur.
“At a time when we are pushing for more transparency and freedom on the internet, the government’s decision is unfortunate,” said Basheer, and reiterated that the Federation was promoting computerisation, not opposing it.
As per the government order, all theatres will have to install software and equipment developed by the company, and pay 50 paise per ticket to the company.