We have paid their performance fee: Shah
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Apr 20: After a group of musicians today accused the administration of withholding full payment for their performance at the Dubai Expo last year, the administration said that the Government has already paid their performance fee.
Addressing a press conference, Kashmiri Singer and J&K Artists Association convenor Mehmeet Syed charged the current Handloom and Handicraft Department of committing “fraud” with them.
However, Director Handloom and Handicraft Department, Mehmood Shah said: “With respect to remuneration, the performance fee has been paid in accordance with the rates notified by the Cultural Academy, J&K.”
“Pertinent to mention, an amount of Rs 17 lakh (approximately) was spent on the boarding and lodging of these 11 artists, who were part of the cultural troupe,” he said in a statement.
Syed, however, said then the Director of the Department of Industries and Commerce, booked the group to perform at the Dubai Expo during a 15-day trip and committed to pay each of them Rs 2.25 lakh.
“We performed there for 12 days. The commitment was for the payment of Rs 2.25 lakh. But they have not kept their promise. We have not received even 20 per cent of what we were promised,” she said.
She said it was a verbal commitment and there was no written commitment. “When there is a group of artists (for performing at an event), there is only verbal commitment. Mehmood Shah had committed to us,” she said.
“When we returned, we were dodged, and we came to know that a proposal has been made and Rs 5.5 lakh was written there to pay the cultural group as a lump sum amount – which means only 22 per cent of what they committed to us,” she alleged.
Shah said FICCI was given the responsibility of managing the Dubai Expo 2020 event.
“Due to a delay in the submission of the bills by FICCI and a change of guard at JK Trade Promotion Organisation and their shifting to treasury operations caused the delay in payment. The amount on account of liabilities is expected to be paid to FICCI, who in turn shall make the payments to the concerned vendors,” he added.
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