Deserving artists to receive 50% more stipend

Sardar Ali Shah proposes quarterly payment to artists

KARACHI: Sindh culture department has decided to increase the stipend by 50% for all the deserving artists of the province during the endowment committee meeting on Monday evening.

Culture, Tourism and Antiquities Minister Sardar Ali Shah headed the 20th meeting of the endowment committee at the archives department. The committee considered applications of 846 artists and decided to raise their annual stipend from Rs40,000 to Rs60,000. It was also decided to provide Rs5 million for the medical treatment of 29 artists.

Shah told members of the endowment committee that he will request the chief minister before the next meeting of the endowment committee to raise the endowment fund and issue payments to the needy artists every three months instead of a year.



The meeting also discussed the mismanagement of stipends in previous years and accusations that favourites were inducted in the list rather than needy artists. It was decided in the meeting that artists receiving stipends will be verified so that those in need can get their due right.

The committee also approved 29 needy artists in the list out of 44 new applicants. It was also decided in the meeting that officials of the culture department will inquire from the renowned drama writer Rehmatullah Majhoti whether he wants government to bear his treatment expenditure.