Theatre groups criticise new 'burdensome' MCD rules for performing in Delhi

A new set of rules by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, which requires performing art groups to go through a lengthy paper trail in addition to a licensing fee of Rs 1,000 for each performance, has directors and performers rattled for the entailing financial and procedural burden.

The recently launched unified online portal for eating, lodging and boarding establishments in the national capital also asks event organisers for dance, theatre and music to submit clearance from municipal corporations, Delhi fire service, Delhi Pollution Control Committee, and Delhi Police, apart from the licensing fees of Rs 1,000.

Faced with this new financial burden, theatre directors and groups called out the MCD for the illogical and unethical rules and demanded that these expenses should be borne by auditoriums.

Terming the rules an attempt to curb freedom of expression, theatre director Arvind Gaur of Asmita theatre group said that it will put a financial burden of nearly Rs 40,000-45,000 on a