Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 4: Slamming J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages for its apathy towards problems and difficulties of Artists of Jammu Division, All Artists Association (AAA) of Jammu expressed its anguish over alleged poor working of the Academy.
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In a press conference here today Surinder Singh Manhas, president AAA claimed that the Academy was doing nothing as was expected from it though the government spends hefty amount in terms of salaries to officers and employees of the Academy.
“Many deserving and graded artists are given step motherly treatments by the Academy,” he further said adding that few employees have monopolized the whole system of treating the Artists as per their whims to appease few and annoy many with regard to booking of artists and the officers heading the offices are clueless about this anarchy prevailing in the organisation.
AAA chairman, Rakesh Anand said that payment of artists in lakhs is lying pending since years together with the Academy for performances made at the behest of Divisional Office Jammu.
He also said that last year a deputation of artists met the incumbent Secretary of the Academy and brought into his notice the non-payment of artists fees and the Secretary assured to take up the matter with concerned authorities for early payment but despite lapse of over a year nothing has been done in this regard.
Satish Chander, vice chairman said that relief granted by the government during Covid pandemic for artists was disbursed in a haphazard manner without any criteria of needy artists.
Shashi Gupta, general secretary said that Abhinav Theatre is still not put to operation for artists.
He appealed the Lt Governor, Manoj Sinha to intervene and redress the grievances of artists.
Sahil Jasotra, vice president; Abhishek Bharti, joint secretary; Darbari Lal and Tilak Raj Tagotra, chief advisors; Garu Ram, Neeraj Verma and Kuldeep Saproo, advisors were also present in the press conference.
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