In a significant move to regulate year-end celebrations, the district administration of Prayagraj has issued a strict mandate requiring prior permission from the District Magistrate for any entertainment event planned on New Year's Eve. This directive, announced on Wednesday, covers a wide range of venues and activities.
What Events Require Permission?
The order is comprehensive. It states that any form of entertainment programme—including music performances, dance shows, DJ nights, and similar activities—organized at public places must secure official clearance. This applies to hotels, clubs, auditoriums, banquet halls, restaurants, gardens, and even sports grounds or school and college campuses. The rule is enforced under the provisions of the Uttar Pradesh Cinematograph (Regulation) (Amendment) Act.
Authorities have made it clear that no event, whether taxable or exempt from tax, can proceed without this prior approval. The Assistant Commissioner of State Tax, who is also in-charge of entertainment tax, emphasized this point in an official release.
Strict Penalties for Non-Compliance
The consequences for ignoring this mandate are severe. Organizing an entertainment programme without the necessary permission is a punishable offence. As per Sub-section 1 of Section 8(a) of the UP Cinematograph Act, violators can face a fine of Rs 20,000, imprisonment for up to six months, or both penalties. The administration has warned that strict punitive action will be taken against both the event organizer and the venue owner found in violation.
How to Apply for Permission
Potential organizers and venue owners—including hotels, guest houses, banquet halls, restaurants, and educational institutions—must follow a dual application process.
First, they are required to apply online through the dedicated departmental portal: up-gst.com/entertainmenttax. The application must be accompanied by all necessary No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) and other required documents uploaded to the portal.
Second, a hard copy of the complete application along with all supporting documents must be physically submitted to a specific office. This office is the Assistant Commissioner, State Tax (Entertainment Tax), located in Room No. 13 of the new building near Mahatma Gandhi Park, opposite the ADM Nazul office at the Collectorate in Prayagraj.
The district administration's move aims to ensure that New Year's Eve celebrations are conducted in an orderly and lawful manner, with all regulatory and tax formalities duly completed. Event planners are urged to complete the process well in advance to avoid any last-minute disruptions or legal action.
