Govt forms four-member committee to resolve payment issues of artists participated in Dubai Expo 2021

Srinagar, Oct 23: The Jammu and Kashmir Government on Monday constituted a committee of four Officers for the settlement of payment and dispute involved in the matter related to Artists who participated in Dubai World Expo-2021.
As per the order issued by Vikramjit Singh) IPS Commissioner/Secretary to the Government reads that sanction is hereby accorded to the constitution of the following Committee of Officers for settlement of payment and dispute involved in the matter related to Artists who participated in Dubai World Expo-2021.
The committee members include the Managing Director, JKTPO (Chairman), Addl. Secy (A) to Govt, I&C Department (Member representing Adm. Department), FA/CAO Directorate of Industries, Jammu (Member Secretary), Deputy Director Planning I&C (Member).
As per the order, the Committee shall verify the rates being offered and given to Artists by the other Government departments dealing in the subject, like J&K Academy of Art & Culture, DIPR, Prasar Bharti, and Dance and Drama division of GOI, and recommend accordingly.
The Committee may invite the representatives of these departments as experts to assist in the matter. The Committee shall come up with a firm decision in the case within one week from the date of constitution and notification without delay.
“Any other suggestion/recommendation that the Committee may deem fit,” it said.
In December 2021, several artists were flown to the UAE to perform at the Dubai Expo. They included singers Mahmeet Syed, Irfan Nabi, Bilal Ahmad, Waqar Khan, and others.
Later they expressed their dismay over the delay in payments assured to them.
They recounted that during the initial planning stages of the event, government officials provided assurances that their legitimate concerns would be taken into account, assuring a highly professional execution of the event without any administrative hurdles.
The artists were told that they were simply needed to entertain the audience, and they swiftly received the green light along with individual fee agreements. However, the situation took a drastic turn afterward.