Artists demand relief package from the J&K Government

Renowned artists from Jammu & Kashmir have demanded a special package from the government to support those artists who have been facing a financial crisis during the Covid-19 situation._

Srinagar, May 16 :
Hundreds of renowned performing artists and the people associated with the field from Jammu as well as Kashmir have demanded a special package from the government to support those artists and stakeholders who have been facing a huge financial crisis during the Covid-19 situation since last more than forteen months now. The artists have voiced their opinion through different platforms of social media & stressed on how artist’s livelihood was affected due to the lack of daily incomes during this pandemic period.

In a press statement, Waheed Jeelani, a well known artist, cultural activist and the Chairman of one of the largest cultural organizations of J&K, The Kashmir Music Club Srinagar, said that the sufferings and the problems faced by the artists during the Covid-19 period should be brought to the notice of worthy Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir, Manoj Sinha and the concerned authorities of central government as well. The Jammu and Kashmir government has already announced a relief package of Rs 3 crore for the people associated with tourism sector, which indeed is a welcome step but on the same performing artists, creative professionals, actors, directors, producers, writers and technicians etc. have been hit in the union territory for the last three consecutive years now. While abrogation of Article 370 in 2019 and subsequent lockdown led to huge losses to the performing artists and cultural sector, all the artists who are solely dependent on their performances and daily work, are badly affected by the pandemic for the last near about two years. The second wave of coronavirus pandemic has again hit our livelihoods hard and we are unable to meet even our daily expenses Jeelani added.

Hundreds of performing artists and the people associated with this field have joined the chorus and have stood in support of the demand raised by Waheed Jeelani and have urged the authorities to announce immediately a reasonable relief package for all those who are registered with the academy of art culture and languages and other govt. cultural institutions, atleast to the tune of Rs. 3000, per month for the period of six months, artists demanded.