PIONEER NEWS SERVICE | Dehradun
With the Culture department’s director general’s assurance to address their demands, the folk artists ended their protest outside the directorate of Culture departments. Notably, on April 2, folk artists from various regions of the State, including Garwhal, Kumaon and Jaunsar, gathered to demonstrate outside the Culture department. They raised slogans and put forth their demands, urging the authorities to respond promptly. Additionally, the protesters expressed their intention to continue their demonstration until they received assurances from the concerned officials.
The president of the Lok Kalakar Mahasangh, Gopal Singh Chamyal said that during the demonstration on April 2, the DG Yugal Kishore Pant visited the Culture department where the protest was being held. During his visit, he engaged in discussions with the protestors about their concerns and demands. The folk artists presented a list of their requests, which included timely salary payments based on their performances, an increase in their honorarium, the removal of GST from their payments, the provision of pensions, among other issues. The DG listened to their concerns during the brief meeting and acknowledged that their demands were valid. He assured them that actions would be taken regarding their requests and issues within one month.
With this reassurance, they paused their protest. He stressed that if no action is taken within a month, they will resume their protests outside the culture department.
It will be recalled that during their recent demonstration, the convenor of the Uttarakhand Mool Niwas Bhu Kanoon Sangharsh Samiti, Mohit Dimri joined the folk artists in solidarity. He expressed his support for their cause and urged the authorities to address their demands promptly.
