Kathmandu, November 19:

The Supreme Court today directed the government authorities to be present in the court when it decides on November 26 whether or not to issue a stay order against the film development charge as demanded by theatre owners.

A single bench of Justice Gauri Dhakal issued the order following today’s hearing. The bench told the authorities — the Prime Minister’s Office and Cabinet, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Law, Justice and Constituent Assembly Affairs and the Inland Revenue Department — to come up with arguments why a stay order should not be issued in

the case.

The bench told the defendants to submit a written explanation on within 15 days.

Eight cinema hall owners, including Triratna Manandhar, the owner of Aasta Narayan Pictures, moved the Supreme Court on Friday, challenging the recent decision of the government to collect film development charge from the theatre owners.

Stating that the decision of the ministry was unjust and discriminatory, the petitioner has asked the apex court to scrap the same.