Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, July 26: Chairperson, Nirbhay Bharat Foundation (NBF), Tarun Uppal today met Minister of State for Culture, Arjun Ram Meghwal and submitted a charter of demands regarding sordid state of affairs in the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art Culture and Languages (JKAACL).
Tarun Uppal apprised the Union Minister about gross discrepancies in the functioning of the JKAACL which is the sole body entrusted the responsibility of promotion of art culture and languages in J&K. He said that due to dereliction of duty by the concerned officials of the Academy not only the aims and objectives of this prestigious body are getting defeated but the artists belonging to this UT are becoming the worst victims of this official apathy.
The NBF Chairperson sought formulation of a well tailored cultural policy in J&K to ensure proper utilization of funds for promoting art, culture and languages and securing the future of all the artists and stakeholders of the UT.
Uppal further demanded special scholarship and Fellowship programmes like the ones rolled out by the Union Ministry so that the artists linked with art, culture and languages of this region feel encouraged to remain engaged in endeavours to promote art and culture of the UT.
Uppal apprised the Minister that since 2009 there have been no recruitments in the J&K Academy of Art Culture and Languages as a result of which a large number of posts are lying vacant but nobody from the UT Administration seems to be paying any attention to fill up these vacancies.
Uppal said that Abhinav Theatre which is the only theatre in Jammu literally lies in shambles and craves immediate attention of the concerned authorities. This theatre along with its K.L Sehgal Hall, has become almost defunct due to recurring technical faults and urgent efforts need to be initiated towards its proper maintenance so that these are made fully functional at the earliest.
Uppal said that the post of Secretary of the J&K Cultural Academy should be from the art fraternity and enhancement of artists’ remuneration and production fees should also be revised at the earliest.
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