Calcutta, Nov 3 :     A sharp rise in power rates, added to escalating maintenance costs, has prompted the state government to increase from January 1 the rent of the six auditoriums it runs in Calcutta. The government has never hiked the rates of all its auditoriums at the same time. The halls are Rabindra Sadan, Mahajati Sadan, Girish Mancha, Sisir Mancha, Madhusudan Mancha and University Institute Hall. The charges of Dinabandhu Mancha at Siliguri in North Bengal will be also increased. The rent of the some of the halls have not been raised since they were set up. The new rates for all six halls are Rs 5,000. The earlier rates varied between Rs 2,500 and Rs 3,000. The rates will apply mainly to offices and recreation clubs and non-registered cultural groups. For amateur theatre groups, there will be a relaxation which will vary from hall to hall. The charges for the groups will not be more than Rs 2,000 per day. Earlier, the groups had to pay Rs 1,500 at most. Sources in the state information and culture department said the rates will be increased by Rs 500 to 1,000. The groups will not be too affected. ?We have revised the rates in such a way so that the groups are not hit. The system of providing special concessions to the groups will continue,? the sources said. The groups now pay Rs 1,500 for Rabindra Sadan. Other troupes pay Rs 3,000. For recreation and office clubs, the charges are Rs 4,000. Sources said the charges for hiring the hall by office and recreation clubs will now increase by Rs 1,000 for a show. The government decided to hike the charges on Tuesday after several meetings between information and culture department minister Budhadev Bhattacharya and senior officials. The auditoriums will need to be repaired before bookings for millennium celebrations. Electricity bills and costs of maintenance will also increase because of the rush of bookings. The hiked rates will help meet the rising costs. Renovation of the halls has begun. The halls most in demand are Rabindra Sadan and Sisir Mancha. Sources said the Rabindra Sadan auditorium is being repaired after it was damaged by waterlogging. Madhusudan Mancha has also been renovated.