RAVINDRA BHARATHI, TRINET NEWS, AUGUST 19: Telangana State Minister for Culture Jupally Krishna Rao has assured that steps will be taken to resolve the issues faced by folk artists and expeditiously clear pending bills related to various cultural programs previously organized by the government. He clarified that artists need not worry and that the government will positively resolve their grievances.
Representatives of the Folk Artists United Forum met the Minister on Wednesday to explain their issues and submitted a memorandum. They stated that a large number of folk artists and troupes from across the state participated in various festivals, celebrations, government programs, and cultural performances organized by the government and the Department of Language and Culture between 2023 and 2026. They explained to the Minister that remuneration, travel expenses, and other payments related to these programs have been pending for a long time. They noted that due to bills remaining pending for months and sometimes years after the completion of programs, artists are facing severe financial hardships.
According to the details submitted by the artists, they brought to the Minister's attention that arrears amount to approximately Rs 11 crore. They requested the Minister to examine the matter urgently and take action to ensure payments are disbursed to eligible artists and troupes.
Responding positively, the Minister stated that the long-pending issue had come to his attention. He assured that he would speak with the Finance Minister regarding the payment of pending bills and take necessary action. Later, the Minister spoke with Director of Language and Culture, Enugu Narasimha Reddy, and directed him to take immediate action on the pending bills issue. He instructed officials to thoroughly examine the details related to the pending bills, verify eligibility, and expedite the payment process. He also directed officials to coordinate funds receivable from the Endowments Department and take steps to resolve the artists' arrears.
The Minister stated that the welfare of artists is the goal of the government. He mentioned that the government is taking steps to ensure folk artists receive pensions, recognition cards, identity cards, and various welfare schemes. He also stated that programs would be organized to identify and honor awardees who have rendered exceptional service to the field of art.
Representatives of the artists stated that folk arts are symbols of Telangana's culture. They said that preserving traditional art forms that have been continued across generations in rural areas is the responsibility of both the government and society.
Folk Artists United Forum representatives Srinivas Goud, Shravan Kumar, Oggu Ravi, Somaraju Srinivas, Himagiri, Krupadanam, S. Ganesh, Muralikrishna, Rajakumar, Oggu Dharmayya, Bhaskar, and others participated in the program.
