Staff Reporter
Punjab Minister for Information & Culture Mian Aslam Iqbal has said that artists are the valuable asset of the society and their care is the responsibility of the government.
He said that provision of health insurance card and financial assistance through Ehsas programme to the artists will be reviewed as well adding that artists support fund is set up for the welfare of the deserving artists.
The Minister Information and Culture was presiding over a meeting at Alhamra Arts Council here on Thursday in which provision of financial grant through artists support fund was reviewed.
The meeting accorded approval to the provision of financial assistance to the deserving artists through this fund during the current financial year. This aid would be provided through a merit-based criterion on the recommendations of the committee. Mian Aslam directed that a suitable mechanism should be devised so that the institutions set up to serve the art and culture should develop their own resources for the welfare of the artist community and they may not have to depend on the government for it. Comprehensive recommendations should be presented in this regard, he added.
He reiterated that constant care of the needy artists as well as the provision of education to their children is the responsibility of the government. He further directed to submit the business model of arts councils.
Earlier, Secretary Information briefed the meeting with regard to the Artists Support Fund. Sadia Sohail Rana MPA, Secretary Information Raja Jehangir Ahmad, ED Punjab Council of the Arts, ED Lahore Arts Council Athar Ali Khan, DG PILAC and others attended the meeting.
