AMBALA: Hope has come alive for the Punjabi writing literary circles in Haryana, who have been waiting to receive their awards given for literary work done in the state by Haryana Punjabi Sahitya Akademi (HPSA).
As per the information, the 47 Punjabi writers in Haryana have been waiting for these awards since the year 2013 and two of them have passed away.
HPSA vice president Gurvinder Singh Dhamija on Wednesday told that the announcements have been made for awards of Haryana literary awardees for the years 2013 to 2016, but due to lack of funds the HPSA was unable to give cash prizes to the awardees.
HPSA gives literary awards namely Haryana Punjab Gaurav, Mahakavi Bhai Santokh Singh, Baba Sheikh Farid, Sant Taran Singh Vehmi, Kavi Harbhajan Singh Renu, Punjabi Patarkarita Puraskar and to Raagi (Gurbani Kirtan singer)/Dhaddi (ballad singer)/Lok Gayak (folk singer).
Similarly, awards are given for selected writings including peom, story, child literature, play, novel, biography, and folk literature.
Gurvinder Singh Dhamija said, “We have got a special additional budget of Rs 1 crore approved from Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar. After completion of the state assembly budget session and getting a date from Haryana governor, an event will be organised at Governor House within 15-20 days, to hand over the awards to the awardees of Haryana.”
Singh said that as of now the awards will be given to a total of 47 awardees for four years from 2013 to 2016.
Singh regretted that of the 47 awardees two have passed away.
When asked about the awards of the years 2017 to 2020, Singh said, “These awards will also be given soon and I apologise to the awardees and feel that pendency is not good for society.”
Disclosing the figures about the award money, Singh said that the award money for four years (2013-16) is about Rs 32 lakh.
He said that he is making efforts with the Haryana CM to award the prizes after increasing the old amounts as it has been long time since the awardees are waiting.
HSPA vice president said that last year he had got the budget of the academy increased from Rs 1 crore to Rs 1.5 crore and this time a demand of Rs 4.60 crore has been made and that they are hopeful of getting about Rs 3 to 3.50 crore.
Award money could be increased
HSPA vice-president said that the CM has directed that a comparative chart should be prepared by ascertaining the award amounts given by the adjoining states so as to increase the amount of Haryana awards.
He said that a rough comparative chart in this regard has been prepared and submitted to the CM, who wished that the award money of Haryana should not be less than any other state.