March 29, 2011, The dailypioneer,
Expressing strong discontentment against the alleged apathetic attitude of the Jeypore All India Radio (AIR) authorities, the musicians embarked on a token dharna on Thursday here under the banner of AIR Artistes’ Association led by its secretary and senior tablist Sushanta Adhikari demanding payment of equal remunerations to the singers and musicians.
The artistes, including the local singers and musicians, alleged that they have been deprived of getting remunerations as per the guidelines of the AIR.
There is no difference of remuneration between a singer and a musician, but the AIR authorities are not disbursing equal remuneration to the artistes and co-musicians, alleged Adhikari.
“A musician is being paid less honorarium than a singer while both should be paid equally where as the AIR is deliberately paying less to the musicians which makes a difference between the musicians and singers though there is a provision to pay equal remuneration as per the AIR guidelines,” Adhikari fumed.
Protesting against the alleged negligence of the authorities, all the artistes ceased their duty, even the recording of chorus scheduled on Thursday, following the dharna.
They have further threatened the authorities to consider their demand or else they would not participate in the recordings and other programmes of the AIR in future.
“Protesting against the unilateral and unlawful act of the AIR authorities, we had made repeated requests earlier, but disappointed at not having found any positive response, we had to resort to the agitation,” said Adhikari to The Pioneer.
He also alleged that no permanent Station Director has been posted yet though it was demanded by the general public of the undivided Koraput district. Some important executive posts are also lying vacant since long resulting in poor administration and management of the radio station, Adhikari also alleged.
Later, the association sent a memorandum to the AIR Executive Director, Prasar Bharati, New Delhi demanding redressal of their grievances.
Among others, Bharat Challan, K Iswar Sharaff, Umesh Panigrahi, Jogendra Mohapatro, Ashish Dash, Shiv Prasad Samantaray, Subrat Pujari, Karunanidhi Bhatra, Badal Kumar Santra Patra, including panel artists and musicians of the AIR unit here participated in the agitation.
