Cultural department ups prize money by over two times

Bhopal: The prize money for all national and state awards, announced every year by department of culture, Madhya Pradesh, have now been officially increased. In some cases, the award money has increased to more than double. As per a release issued by the department, cash award for national Mahatma Gandhi Samman has now been increased to Rs 20 lakh from Rs 10 lakh. A few months ago, CM Shivraj Singh, and later culture minister Usha Thakur announced that cash award for Tansen and Kalidas Samman will be increased from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 5 lakh each, but now it is all in black and white, said an official. Cash reward has been increased to Rs 5 lakh in all categories, including Iqbal Samman, Maithilisharan Gupt Samman, Kabir Samman, Kishore Kumar Samman, Lata Mangeshkar Samman, Devi Ahilya Saman, Tulsi Samman, Kavi Pradeep Samman and Hindi Sewa Samman.Cash award for Kumar Gandharva Samman now stands at Rs 2.51 lakh, and Shikhar Samman at Rs 2 lakh, states the release. An official said on condition of anonymity, this increase was long due and decision has finally been taken. “We are sure it will motivate talented singers, artists, writers, poets and nurture art forms and traditions of our society,” the official said.
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