PIONEER NEWS SERVICE | Dehradun
The State government should establish regulations and implement a policy specifically for folk artists, the president of the Lok Kalakar Mahasangh Gopal Singh Chamyal said. He said this while providing an update on their pending demands. It will be recalled that recently, folk artists from Garwhal, Kumaon and Jaunsar regions assembled to protest outside the Culture Department office in Dehradun.
Their demonstration began in the morning, during which they raised various slogans and expressed their demands, calling on officials to respond swiftly. Among their requests are timely compensation for their work and exemptions from GST, among other issues. In response, Culture director general Yugal Kishor Pant assured them that action would be taken regarding their concerns within a month.
Chamyal informed about the current status of their demands, expressing appreciation for the director general’s efforts. He said that the DG has established a committee to address the issue of GST exemptions. While this initiative is commendable, the folk artists remain dissatisfied, as they have not been informed about the committee’s timeline for action.
Chamyal emphasised that rather than forming a committee, authorities should have taken direct action. He also said that a committee has been formed for the Kalyan Poshan for folk artists, but no concrete measures have been implemented. The Kalyan Poshan initiative seeks financial assistance for folk artists’ families in the event of their sudden passing. Additionally, he said that their longstanding payments for work have yet to be resolved.
Addressing the concerns of others, he expressed his worries about the auditions conducted by the department, stating that they do not comply with the established guidelines. He pointed out that the restrictions on free instruments apply only to scheduled castes, not to the general category of people, which is wrong. He advocated for a comprehensive folk artist policy by the state government, emphasising the need for clear guidelines that would connect this policy to employment, pensions and other benefits.
Additionally, he stressed that if their pending salary issue is not resolved within 15 days, they will once again organise a protest or demonstration to address the matter.
