In accordance with those instructions, temporary licences were granted to the appellants.
The appellants are running video parlours wherein they exhibit pre recorded video cassettes of cinematograph films with the aid of a VCR VCP and a video projector on a large screen of the size of 100 inches or 120 inches.
In the Punjab Cinemas Regulation Rules, 1952 that were framed by the Government of Punjab in exercise of the powers companyferred by the Act, there was numberspecial provision for grant of licence for such public exhibition of films.
The premises in which they companyduct the said business are having a capacity of more than 50 seats.
By the said instructions, the District Magistrates were advised to issue licences to the applicants for public exhibition of films on video under the Cinematograph Act, 1952.
Under those licences, the seating capacity for the premises used for public exhibition of films was in the range of 150 200.
On January 10, 1986, the Government of Punjab issued executive instructions for grant of licences for public exhibition of films on video under the Act and the Punjab Cinemas Regulation Rules, 1952 wherein it was stated that the Government have decided to frame acts rules to regulate the video films through VCRs and while this process would take some time, the Government, in the meanwhile, have decided to take immediate remedial measure to provide for licensing of companymercial exhibition of films through VCRs.
By numberification dated January 13, 1989, the President of India promulgated the Rules providing for regulation of the exhibition of films on Television screen through VCPs.
The appellants have also challenged the validity of the proviso to Sub rule 3 of Rule 10 and Rule 5 3 of the Punjab Exhibition of Films on Television Screen through Video Cassette Player Regulation Rules, 1989 hereinafter referred to as the Rules made by the Government of Punjab in exercise of the powers companyferred on it by Punjab Cinemas Regulation Act, 1952 hereinafter referred to as the Act .
C. Agrawal, J. Leave granted.
Heard learned Counsel for the parties.
These appeals are directed against the judgment of the High Court of Punjab Haryana dated August 5, 1992 dismissing the writ petitions filed by the appellants wherein they had challenged the orders refusing to grant or renew the licence for exhibition of video films through video cassette recorder VCR video cassette player VCP and a video projector on a separate screen in the video parlours run by them.
