The Karnataka Cabinet Thursday cleared amendments to the Karnataka Cine and Cultural Activists (Welfare) Act to collect a 2 per cent cess at multiplexes.
The cess collected will be transferred to the Karnataka State Unorganised Workers Social Security Board to fund welfare programs for the employees in the cinema and cultural sphere, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil said.
The Karnataka Cine and Cultural Activists (Welfare) Amendment Bill, 2025, will be tabled in the upcoming winter session of the legislature starting December 8.
The Cabinet also cleared a ‘One Time Settlement’ scheme for Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) consumers. Under this, the government will waive Rs 262.68 crore interest accrued by consumers who have kept their water bills pending. The total due payable to BWSSB was Rs 701.71 crore, of which Rs 439.03 crore was the water bill amount.
“The scheme will be open for a three-month period,” Patil said, adding that the measure will also help shore up funds for the civic body.
The Cabinet also approved Rs 100 crore for the operation and maintenance of landfill sites under the Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Limited. Among other key decisions was the move to implement the ‘Karnataka Non-Major Ports Iron Ore Handling Policy-2025’.