Kashmir Artists Await Payment As Doordarshan Kendra Srinagar Owes Over Rs 25 Crore

SRINAGAR: The Doordarshan Kendra in Srinagar has failed to release payments for work done by private producers, production houses, and individuals, resulting in liabilities of over Rs. 25 crore that are still pending. This was revealed by DD Srinagar in response to an RTI application filed by MM Shuja.

According to available records, the total old liability till date is reported to be Rs. 25,43,13,530. There has reportedly been no communication to Prasar Bharati for releasing funds to meet this liability.

The matter of the old liability falls under the purview of the Directorate of Doordarshan Kendra Srinagar. Due to a lack of funds, Doordarshan Kendra Srinagar has stopped airing eight programs over the last four years, including “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 KNT that no payments have been made to producers for the last nine years, and everyone is in trouble. “I personally met CEO Prasar Bharati in New Delhi and apprised him of 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 now been stopped.

Another artist, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said they were baffled by the way things are being handled. “I don’t know what’s happening in New Delhi. I must say the ‘Golden Era’ of Doordarshan Srinagar is already over,” they said. [KNT]