LAHORE - Punjab Minister for Culture and Youth Affairs Dr Tanveerul Islam has said that Punjab Chief Ministers decision of waiving off 65 percent entertainment tax on exhibiting foreigner movies was without his consent, however, he welcomed the decision. The decision would develop a healthy competition between Bollywood and Lollywood producers. In an exclusive interview with TheNation here on Wednesday, he said Lollywood movies were not theme-oriented. He said our artists were more talented than others but due to low payments they were not performing well. He said current circumstances were needed new subjects in film and theatre. Tanveer was of the view that we could fight with terrorism only through education and art. To a question about the planning of the government regarding welfare of the artists, he said he had directed free registration of the artists with Punjab Arts Council (PAC) so the department could form any policy regarding the welfare of the artists including theatre performers, actors, singers, painters and dancers also. He said the ministry of culture had sent a summary to the CM Punjab having the proposals including 50 percent discount to the artists in medical treatment in public hospitals and special discount in PIA fares. A sufficient number of artists had been registered with PAC however it had not finalised yet, he said. He urged the producers of commercial theatre to submit one-day revenue to PAC to support the poor stage artists. Tanveer while commenting about theatre monitoring policy of Punjab government said that they approved the scripts of the stage dramas after censoring but the producer did not follow the approved scripts. He said that the actors were not actual responsible for vulgarity as the producers, who have only interest in minting money despite educating the masses with art. I have asked the actors to contact PAC if any producer forced them for vulgar dance or dialogues by toppling approved scripts, so that the department could take action against him, he added. Informing about the activities of PAC, he said the council had showed 102 different non-commercial stage dramas in recent year at Open Air Theatre to promote the classical theatre.