Barely a month after the government finished renovation of SK Memorial Hall, the committee that runs the state’s biggest auditorium on Wednesday announced a hike in its booking rates.

The rates were revised at a meeting of the S K memorial Hall Development Committee (SKMHDC) headed by Patna divisional commissioner K.P. Ramaiah.

The hall that has seating arrangements for 2,000 people is having a better look after the renovation for which the government spent Rs 2.5 crore. “It is now equipped with 24-hour power supply and three air-conditioners of 90 tonne compressors. Earlier, there was only one air-conditioner.

“Besides, it is now equipped with a state-of-the-art acoustic system, video projector and new curtains,” said K. K. Upadhyay, deputy director (public relations department), Patna division.

“The committee decided to raise the booking rates to maintain the quality of services in the hall in a better. Compared to previous charges, a private party will now have to pay Rs 70,000 for the hall with Rs 20,000 as deposit amount, while Rs 25,000 will be charged for the campus with Rs 7,000 as deposit amount. For the conference hall, the charge will be Rs 10,000 for all days. Earlier, different rates were charged for different days in a week,” he added.

Upadhyay further said the committee would charge various amounts for government functions like Rs 45,000 for the hall with Rs 12,000 as deposit amount, Rs 7,500 for the conference hall with Rs 2,000 as deposit amount and Rs 10,000 for campus booking with Rs 5,000 as deposit amount. Besides, organisers have to pay pay 12.3% as service tax and 10% as luxury tax,” he added.

The booking of the hall would be done in two shifts, first between 9am and 3pm and second between 4pm and 10pm. For any government function, the charges will be same throughout the year, Rs 38,496 for the hall, Rs 60,150 for the conference hall and Rs 10,827 for the campus.

The order will come in effect from next booking onwards.

The committee’s decision to raise the booking rates has evoked a mixed reaction among political parties.

JD(U) spokesman Sanjay Singh said, “We will talk to the commissioner to roll back the hike as political parties do not so much of money to pay.”

BJP spokesman Sudhir Sharma said: “To maintain the hall on a regular basis, you need money. The committee has hiked the rates for this purpose.”