1. What are the key activities of the department?
Amusement Department is the sanctioning authority for issuing permission under section 422 read with Sec.543 (2) of the KMC Act 1980 to amusement related businesses. Such amusement related businesses/activities include Theatres, Cinema Houses, Circuses, Fairs, Fetes, Exhibitions, Dancing Halls, Carnivals, Video Shows/Games, Cyber Cafes, Cable TV operators, Online Lottery Operators, Restaurants, Restaurants with Bar, Hotels, Planetariums, Pool Parlors, Clubs & similar public resorts.

2. What are the contact details of sub-departments within the assessment department?
Sr. Amusement Officer
5, S.N. Banerjee Road, Kolkata 70003,
Phone: 22861000, Ext 2608

3. Who needs to apply for an amusement license?
If you are involved in any business activity included in Annexure B, you will need to apply for an Amusement License and pay a license fee prior to commencing business. The issued licenses are valid from the date of issue to end of financial year i.e. 31st Mar and an annual license fee is charged to issue licenses irrespective of number of days/months effectively available from date of issue. For e.g. if the license is issued on 30th Mar, a complete annual fee will be charged even though the license will expire on 31st Mar. At the financial year-end, licenses need to be renewed by paying annual license fee.

4. Do I need a license for exhibitions, shows fairs etc?
Yes. If you are applying for a license for casual or regular shows, performances, exhibitions, fairs, fetes, carnival, circus etc please fill in Proforma Application form. See Annex A for a sample of Performa application. Refer to annexure B - Schedule of fees for 2005-06, to ascertain the fees applicable to your event. Please visit the amusement department at KMC HQ between 11AM and 2:30 PM in order to submit your application form, fees and other documents such as authorization letter from the premises that you will use. You will be issued a license on the spot when you visit the amusement department.

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5. Do I need a license for a restaurant, cyber café, cinema hall etc?
Yes. Please write a letter on your business letterhead or on plain paper addressed to the Sr. Amusement Officer, KMC seeking a license for your concerned amusement activity. Please attach,
a. Recent rent bills
b. Electricity bills
c. Rental agreement paper or purchase deed to prove lawful tenancy or ownership of proposed amusement site.
Please refer to Annexure B to determine applicable license fee.

6. What happens after I submit documents?
Upon submission of documents & fees, an inspection of proposed site will be carried out by an inspector from the amusement department within 7 days of submission of application. Once inspection is complete & satisfactory, the amusement department will issue a license the next business day.

7. What can I do if there is excessive delay in my getting my license in spite of providing all the documents as specified?
In the unlikely case of such an event, you are most welcome to approach us either personally or by phone at the address/phone number provided above (question 2)

8. What should I do incase if I have a complaint against inspectors?
Please write a letter describing your complaint to,
Sr. Amusement Officer,
5 S.N Banerjee Road, Kolkata - 700 013
Or call us at 22861000, Ext 2608

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9. Can my amusement license be revoked? If yes, under what circumstances?
Under section 441 of the KMC act 1980, Municipal Commissioner is empowered to cancel the annual permission granted by the department. Licenses can be revoked under following circumstances,
a. Cyber Cafés that allow clients to visit pornographic sites may lose their licenses
b. Hotel Bars that do not have prior permission from landlords or create public nuisance are liable to lose their licenses.

10. Is there a reminder service for payment of amusement charges? How often are these reminders sent?
Yes. Amusements license must be renewed in April each year since licenses are valid up to 31st March i.e. the end of financial year. The department mails a reminder letter in June reminding business owners regarding outstanding dues. The department consequently sends further communication on a monthly basis reminding business owners regarding outstanding charges.

11. What payment methods are available to me?
You can pay by cheque, cash or demand draft in favor of Kolkata Municipal Corporation payable at Kolkata. Please mail cheques & DDs to,
Senior Amusement Officer
5, S.N. Banerjee Road, Kolkata 70003
You are welcome to visit the amusement department personally to make your payment between 11AM & 2:30 PM on all working days.
Please note that in the event a cheque is dishonored, KMC shall initiate legal proceedings against defaulter under section 138 of Negotiable Instruments Act of 1981. The defaulter would be required to pay the penalty and interest as prescribed. He would be required to pay only in cash or by demand draft in future.

12. What is the amusement fee payment schedule? Can I pay in monthly installments?
Amusement fee is a license fee that must be paid prior to commencing business operations. Unfortunately, there is no option to pay amusement charges on an installment basis. In case of license renewals the fee must be paid in April or May of new financial year.

13. Where can I deposit my outstanding amusement fees?
You can deposit your amusement fees at:
Sr. Amusement Officer
5, S.N. Banerjee Road, Kolkata 70003,
Phone: 22861000, Ext 2608
We do not accept amusement fee at any other location.

14. Can I pay my amusement taxes for future years?
No. Amusement fees are subject to change on a yearly basis. Therefore, these cannot be paid for future years.

15. What if I have information regarding people who do not pay amusement fees? Who do I contact?
In such cases you are welcome to contact the Sr. Amusement officer at the number provided above.
The amusement fees is used to provide civic amenities to the citizens of Kolkata. People who do not pay their amusement fee are committing a crime against the city. We strongly encourage responsible citizens to inform us in case they notice people who do not pay amusement fees. Your name and particulars will kept absolutely confidential. You may inform Senior Amusement officer at 22861000, Ext 2608. You may also drop in a letter or email directly to the Municipal Commissioner of Kolkata (email - kmc@vsnl.net).