4 minutes of readingBombayFebruary 4, 2026 22:01 IST
From stadium concerts to huge cultural festivals, organizing live events in Maharashtra could soon become easier and more competitive. The Maharashtra government is preparing an action plan to promote and develop the live concert and entertainment economy, introduce a single window system and identify pre-approved venues across the state.
The decision follows the Centre’s drive to structure and expand the sector at the national level.
In January, the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting set up a ‘Live Events Development Cell’ (LEDC) to support the structured growth of India’s live entertainment industry and strengthen the country’s emerging gig economy.
A Joint Action Group has also been formed at the national level.
A government resolution issued on February 3 by the General Administration Department states that the Directorate General of Information and Public Relations (DGIPR), which had submitted a proposal to create appropriate arrangements at the state government level, has been designated as the nodal agency to prepare the Maharashtra action plan.
“In order to promote and develop the live entertainment economy in India and make India a global leader in the live entertainment sector by 2030, the Center has established a ‘Live Events Development Cell’,” says the GR.
“Through the joint action group, the goal has been set to increase the cultural, economic and employment potential of the country. To promote and develop the live entertainment economy, each state must prepare an action plan,” added the GR.
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The GR directs the state to inform the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting about the coordinating institution or office of Maharashtra. It directs the departments to “take steps to integrate the permit portal of various departments of the state government with the portal being prepared in the context of live events” and to “initiate a ‘single window’ facility for various permits.”
The resolution further states that after receiving the standard operating procedures prepared by the LEDC, the state should adapt them as per its requirements. It orders authorities to “finalize the list of pre-approved venues in the state where live concerts can be held and submit it to the Centre” and “revise, in coordination with relevant departments, the rental rates of sports and cultural venues in the state for major events to make them competitive.”
Officials said each state has been asked to name a coordinating agency or official for the live events.
“In relation to live concerts, this issue is taken up at the Center through the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. At the state level, the DGIPR will be the nodal agency. Since the issue of live entertainment is related to various departments, instructions are given in this circular to provide necessary cooperation to the DGIPR,” says the GR.
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The move comes at a time when the market for organized live events has expanded rapidly. Industry estimates value the sector at Rs 20,861 crore in 2024, growing at 15 per cent. It is expected to maintain a compound annual growth rate of 18 percent, outperforming several traditional media segments.
The LEDC was constituted under the leadership of Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw. It brings together representatives from central and state governments, industry bodies and major event companies to coordinate policy support and sectoral expansion.
The initiative also follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech at the WAVES Summit in May 2025, where he highlighted the untapped potential of the live entertainment industry as an engine of investment, tourism and cultural influence.
