Cultural activists to form human chain on June 25

Protest for reducing budget allocation in cultural sector

The cultural activists of the country under the banner of Bangladesh Group Theatre Federation (BGTF) will form a human chain at 5:00pm in front of the Shilpakala Academy in the city protesting against the reducing of allocation in cultural sector in the budget for 2008-09 Financial Year.

This was disclosed at a press conference organised by BGTF at Dhaka Reporters Unity yesterday.

M Hamid (Natyachakra Dhaka), Chairman of the Presidium Members, read out a written statement, while Jhuna Chowdhury (Natya Kendra Dhaka), Secretary General of BGTF, Muniruzzaman of Charushilpi Parishad, Selim Mahmud of Udichi and Sangeet Shamunnay Parishad, Habibullah Siraji, President of Jatiya Kabita Parishad, Ramendu Majumder, drama activist, Golam Kuddus, General Secretary of Sammilita Sangskritik Jote, Asaduzzaman Noor, drama activist, Minu Haque, dance artiste, among others, spoke at the conference.

Speakers said the Government has been allocated Tk 122 crore for 2008-09 financial year in cultural sector, which is less than Tk 17 crore from previous year. The rate of this allocation is only 0.12 per cent of the total budget. In all district levels Shilpakala Academy, budget allocation is less than Tk 50,000 per year.

"From this allocation, we can say that the Government has very narrow mind for the development of cultural sector," said M Hamid.

"For this reason, we are going to form a human chain at 5:00pm on June 25 in front of the Shilpakala Academy to protest against budget allocation in the cultural sector. In all district levels, this programme will be held at the same time simultaneously to protest against the budget allocation in cultural sector," he said.