Pradeep Ramteke
Chief Editor
Last year, during the winter session, the literary and artists of Maharashtra state took out a march in Nagpur on December 12, 2022 regarding their various demands.
While accepting the statement of this march, the Minister of Forests, Cultural Affairs and Fisheries Mr. Sudhirbhau Mungtiwar assured the delegation of senior artists and writers that all the pending applications of senior artists will be processed and qualified and all the applicants will be given emoluments and the emoluments will be grade wise. will be increased.
However, there is a shocking information that Cultural Affairs Minister N.Sudhirbhau Mungtiwar did not keep his word given to the delegation of old artists and he did not even check the applications submitted to the Social Welfare Department of the Zilla Parishad at the district level.
Will N.Sudhirbhau Mungtiwar, who has been ignoring the various demands of urban and rural literary and artists for the past one year, at least pay attention to this year’s application approval period? And will funds be made available for disposal and approval of pending applications in all districts of the state and all applications coming in the current year? Ideally only 100 artistes in a district will make the application a qualifying condition? This issue is burning and equally important.
No. Sudhir Bhau Mungtiwar was known to the citizens as a conscientious person who behaved within the words spoken. However, in recent times, there has been a discussion about him in the public mind that he does not pay attention to the sensitive issues of many citizens. However, instead of public discussion, it is necessary to trust his confidence in his duty.
The state of Maharashtra is known throughout the world as the land of saints-great men and literary-artists. That is why the Mandhan Scheme is being implemented in the entire state through the directorate since 1954-55 to support the literary and artists.
Applications of senior artists and writers under category A, B, C are approved. Those who fall in category A are given 3 thousand 150 rupees, artists in category B are given 2 thousand 700 rupees and artists who come under category C are given 2 thousand 250 rupees per month and this remuneration is paid annually. Two da are being deposited in the bank account of artists and writers.
It is mandatory for senior artists and writers to apply by January 31 every year. The application received after that time will not be considered. The selection of eligible beneficiaries is done by the selection committee of artists usually in the month of March.
However, due to the eligibility criteria of only 100 beneficiaries and due to insufficient funds being available under the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, the applications of thousands of elderly artists and writers have been languishing in the Zilla Parishad Social Welfare Department.
“The condition that only 100 artists and writers’ applications should be approved every year,” Minister of Forests, Cultural Affairs, Fisheries, Mr. Sudhirbhau Mungtiwar, needs to be abolished and it is equally important to provide sufficient funds according to the eligibility of the applications.
On December 12, 2022, will N. Sudhir Bhau Mungtiwar fulfill the promise given to a delegation of senior artists and writers during the Nagpur Winter Session, after a long period of one year? And will your word wake up?
Will know soon…
