Marriage halls seek reduction in GST rates, power charges

Wedding hall owners have sought a reduction in the Goods and Service Tax (GST) rate and the power charges saying theirs is a seasonal business with only 45 auspicious Muhurtham days a year. “Even if we add other functions that happen in halls, we are busy for just around 60 days a year. This hardly covers our expenses. We have to maintain the hall, electrical and kitchen equipment, chairs and tables, air conditioning, and pay employees throughout the year,” said A. John Amalraj, State president, Tamil Nadu Marriage Hall Owners Association. 

The Tamil Nadu Marriage Hall Owners Association, South India Marriage Hall Owners Federation, and All Kalyana Mandapam Owners Association, representing around 25,000 halls, have jointly written to the respective State governments and the Centre seeking a significant reduction in GST rates applicable to marriage halls. “We have severe competition from hotels that benefit from the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibition (MICE) business and smaller halls. We are not being allowed to hold exhibitions even. The current rate of 18% should be brought down to 5% if the industry needs to survive,” added Mr. John Amalraj.  

Vel. So. Isaikalaivan, honorary president, South India Marriage Hall Owners Federation said that State electricity boards should consider providing a special slab for marriage halls. “Marriage halls should be removed from the purview of peak hour electricity charges. We are unnecessarily passing on the charges to customers who come to us once in a lifetime.” 

The associations have also sought a revision in trade license classification to permit their halls to host a wider range of activities. “Non-marriage functions such as exhibitions, discount sales, meetings, trade shows, and road shows, could be held in our halls, thereby allowing for better utilisation of facilities throughout the year,” added Mr. Isaikalaivan.