The Doordarshan Kendra, Srinagar has failed to release the payments for the work done by the private producers, production houses and individuals.
Liabilities to the tune of over Rs 25 crore are pending much suffering to the artist fraternity in Kashmir, this has been revealed by DD Srinagar in response to an application filed by RTI activist MM Shuja.
As per the available records, the total old liability till date is reported to be Rs 25,43, 13, 530.
There has been reportedly no communication to Prasar Bharti for releasing funds to meet out liability.
The matter of the old liability is under the purview of Directorate Door Darshan Kendra Srinagar.
Due to lack of funds, for the last four years, Doordarshan Kendra Srinagar has also stopped airing 8 programs. The programs that have been stopped include, ‘Butrat’, ‘Baat Say Baat Nikli’, ‘Rozgar Bulletin’, ‘Shugufe, Bamun’, ‘Hum Qadam’, ‘Suni Dharti’, ‘Quiz Program’, and ‘Balti Program.’
Renowned Artist Zameer Ashai told the news agency Kashmir News Trust that everyone is in trouble as no payments have been made to producers for the last 9 years. “I personally met CEO Prasar Bharti in New Delhi and apprised him about the prevailing situation. Even the artist fraternity talked to him in detail when he visited Srinagar. The liability is still there,” he said adding that even new work has been stopped now.
Another Artist on condition of anonymity said that they are baffled the way things are present now. “Don’t know what’s happening in New Delhi. I must say the ‘Golden Era’ of Doordarshan Srinagar is already over,” he said. [KNT]