Culture Policy To Promote Diversity; Ensure Artistes' Welfare: Minister

Provincial Informationa and Culture Department plans to promote cultural values, encourage and patronize artists, revive family theater, adopt austerity measures, develop film and music industry, adopt high moral values in cultural activities, eradicate theater mafia and protect rights of the journalists.

LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 12th Dec, 2018 ) :Provincial Informationa and Culture Department plans to promote cultural values, encourage and patronize artists, revive family theater, adopt austerity measures, develop film and music industry, adopt high moral values in cultural activities, eradicate theater mafia and protect rights of the journalists.

Provincial Minister for Information and Culture Fayaz-ul- Hassan Chohan stated this addressing a press conference at Al-Hamra, to unveil his department's 100 days performance here on Wednesday.

He said his ministry would table an act for the press laws and a bill "Press, Newspapers, news Agencies and Books Registration Act, 2018 in the next assembly session, adding that under the Act, Provincial Audit Bureau of Circulation (PABC), press registrar offices would be established which would provide a platform to the printers and publishers as well for redressal of their grievances.

He said the previous regime did not adopt press laws despite the devolution of powers to the provinces under the 18th Constitutional Amendment, adding that the matters were being run in the absence of an appropriate legislation framework.

About the development projects of the PTI-led Punjab government, he said during its hundred days, the government had started various projects which included setting-up of Al-Hamra academy of Performing Arts, Upgradation of Open Air Theatre at Jinnah Garden reflecting at international model with historical architecture, Establishment of Bhakkar Arts Council costing Rs.

200 million and Conservation and Restoration of Lahore Museum Building costing Rs.400 million.

The Culture Minister said that artist community was a national asset and to facilitate them in respect of their welfare was a foremost duty of the government.

He informed that the department had launched health insurance card scheme for artists, their allied persons and their families as well which would benefit around 6000 families in terms of medical and health facilities.

He said during current financial year, Artists Welfare Fund costing Rs 70 million had also been established for them.

He challenged the theater mafia that no more than two months booking would be allowed at the theaters in the provincial metropolis, adding that the mafia had managed booking of years in the past which compromised the interests of the artists and the producers.

About his minsitry's achievements, he said very first time in the history of Punjab a musical talent hunt show titling Voice of Punjab was going to be launched from 16th February, 2019 to promote the talent culture in the province.

Dilating upon the press laws prepared by the Information department, the minister said that these laws concern with the licensing of books and the liberty of expressions in all products in the printing press, especially newspapers.

He said his ministry had revised Advertisement Policy, 2018 under which categorization of newspapers would be specified into regional, provincial and national category, adding that policy would outline the advertisement rates for print, electronic, social and digital media, besides ensuring monthly reconciliation by the departments with DGPR all matters of billing and payments as well as evolving a robust mechanism for prequalification of the advertisement agencies transparently.

He said Film Authority board was being formulated besides the Advertising policy for the newspapers to protect the rights of the journalists.

He said health cards would be issued to the artists and their families worth Rs 400,000.

He closed the press conference with a tribute to Prime Minister Imran Khan for his vision and Chief Minister Sardar Usman Khan Buzdar for implementing the policies in letter and spirit.

Responding to the questions, he said the Punjab government was contemplating to allow Basant festivities next year and it had sought proposals from stake-holdres for a safe Basant festival.

He further said that issue was not of the twine but the use of metal wire by the kite-flyers, adding, the government wanted to ensure safety of the general public. The Minister said some proposals included installing a protective iron rod on motorcycles, imposing clause 144 or banning motorcycle for a day, adding that the government would reach consensus and reach a decision shortly.

To a query, he said there was no ban on dance in the theaters but the violation of laws was culpable to law.

He said the ministry would consult to change the theater timings from midnight to the evening or afternoon.