State to have cultural calendar soon: Min

Patna: The state will have its own cultural calendar by the end of this month. The calendar will have a comprehensive programme of cultural activities to be organised across the state in a year, said art, culture and youth minister Alok Ranjan Jha.
Jha said that the Nitish Kumar government has been trying its best to create an atmosphere of art and culture in the state by promoting local artists. All the district magistrates have been directed to spend at least 60 per cent of the funds allocated for organising different festivals, on local artists. Earlier, about 90% of the allocations were being spent on artists coming from outside the state, he said.
The minister said that a panel of state-level and district-level artists would also be prepared by the department. Like the weekly cultural programmes—`Shukragulzar’ and ‘Shanivihar’, organised in Patna, programmes will now be organised at all the district headquarters so that local artists can get an opportunity to show their talents. He said the amount of honorarium paid to the artists will also be enhanced. The budgetary allocations for organising various cultural activities and festivals will also be increased, if needed.
Jha said the department is busy drafting the film policy of the state as suggested by the chief minister. The policy will frame a concrete plan to attract the filmmakers from across the country and provide them incentives for shooting the film in the state.