Haryana

• 12 Apr 2023

5-Day Sang Mahotsav

Why in News?

On 10 April 2023, Dr. Amit Agarwal Additional Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister of Haryana and Director General of Information, Public Relations, Language & Culture inaugurated the 5-day Sang Festival organized by the department in memory of Dhanpat Singh Sangi, dedicated to the Amrit Mahotsav of Independence, at the auditorium of Haryana Kala Parishad in Kurukshetra.

Key Points

• Dr. Amit Agarwal said that Sang is the most ancient and traditional art in the state. Sang learning is an integral part of the state's culture and heritage. The state government is working to preserve and promote this ancient culture and programs will be organized in all areas of the state in the coming times.
• He said that the work of giving a big shape to the International Gita Mahotsav in Kurukshetra was done by the state government. With the efforts of Chief Minister Manohar Lal, the Kurukshetra Development Board has organized the International Gita Mahotsav in Mauritius, London, Canada and now International Gita Mahotsav is also being organized in Australia from 28 to 30 April.
• He said that the State Government has constituted the Culture Development Board to promote culture. According to the announcement of Chief Minister Manohar Lal, a 5-day sang festival will be organized in the memory of famous Sangi Dhanpat Singh Sangi to promote art, culture and artists, as well as award money.
• Additional Principal Secretary said that Chief Minister Manohar Lal has made several announcements for folk artists. In these announcements, there is also a plan to give lifelong pensions to elderly artists above 60 years of age.
• Those artists who have become elderly and who are facing a crisis of livelihood, those artists will get a big contribution financially by getting lifelong pensions.

Increase in Monthly Pension amount given to Journalists

Why in News?

On 11 April 2023, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, taking an important decision in the interest of journalists, proposed to increase the pension amount to the recognized media personnel above 60 years of age under the 'Journalist Pension Scheme'.

Key Points

• The amount of pension received by journalists will now be increased in proportion to the increase in DA as per the norms fixed by the Central Government.
• It is known that on 26 October 2017, Chief Minister Manohar Lal started the 'Journalist Pension Scheme'. Under this scheme, a monthly pension is being given to recognized media personnel above 60 years of age.
• According to the eligibility criteria for this scheme, journalists must have 20 years of experience and must be recognized by the Haryana Government for a period of 5 years.
• Apart from this, along with insurance schemes for journalists, free travel facilities in Haryana transport buses, and media centres have also been set up in every district so that media persons can discharge their duties without any inconvenience.