Guwahati, Oct. 19: The Kamrup (metro) district administration has rejected the application for renewal of Cinemax licence for violation of parking norms, thereby suspending film shows in the region’s first cineplex.

Deputy commissioner Ashutosh Agnihotri today issued the order based on two inquires conducted by sub-divisional officer (Sadar) Nivedita Laskar and extra assistant commissioner Nayan Kumar Pathak, which revealed anomalies in its functioning and violation of norms.

According to the order, during the inquiries Cinemax could not produce any fitness certificate of the building — certificates regarding electrical safety, health and sanitation and tax clearance certificates. The Cinemax authorities could not produce any Films Division certificate which is mandatory for cinema halls and its parking facility was found to be inadequate.

Cinemax is the Northeast’s first cineplex with 500-seat capacity. It had, however, faced action from the administration and the GMC because of its failure to provide sufficient parking space to visitors. Last year it was sealed by the GMC for violation of parking norms and other bylaws.

The managing director of Dona Builders Private Ltd, Abani Das, had also submitted a petition complaining that the cineplex had violated the lease agreement. Dona Planet houses Cinemax and was inaugurated in May 2007.

The matter regarding violation of lease agreement, however, reached the court of Kamrup sessions judge which asked both parties to maintain status quo and asked the cineplex to pay 50 per cent service tax.

The order said the present parking space at Dona Planet, comprising 50 other establishments, could accommodate 40 cars and 50 two-wheelers, whereas Cinemax alone had to provide space to park 50 cars.

“The present parking place is not maintaining mandatory provisions of parking. The additional parking space identified is located about 350 metres away, which is not the kind of amenity that is expected in a premium multiplex. Besides, the traffic police had requested the GMC commissioner to cancel the trade licence due to inadequate parking space,” the order said.

“For interest of public safety, application for renewal of licence submitted by M/s Cinemax cannot be accepted and it is rejected on the ground of non-fulfilment of mandatory provision of parking. In the interim period, exhibition of films should be kept suspended,” the order said.