SRINAGAR: Artists freelancing with the government-owned Radio Kashmir say they are facing a tough time due to non-payment by the organisation for months now.
Hundreds of them work as comperes and anchors for various radio programs which include chat shows, news and guest talks.
“We are not getting our payment since March. They say there are not enough funds being released from Delhi,” said one performer, who wished not to be named fearing he might be reprimanded for speaking to the media.
“We are the bedrock of DD Kashmir. We toil hard to make this organisation a success. Wonder why our payments have been put on hold from the last few months?.”
The Director of Radio Kashmir, Bashir Arif told FreePress that no such situation existed and that there was no dearth of funds.
“Bills take maximum three or four days to get cleared, that’s it. I don’t know who is creating this mischief,” he said.
But a young man, who spoke to us, said he went to the accounts department of the organisation only to be sent back. “They clearly told me that they have no funds,” he said.
And he says he knows why there is no money.
“They spend recklessly on seminars and functions. Money meant for the artists is wasted on Wazwan (traditional multicourse mutton dishes) served to guests, a vast majority of whom happen to be politicians.”
Majority of performers freelancing for the Radio Kashmir are young boys and girls, earning part-time.
They say the authorities had assured them that the financial crisis would be resolved by month end.
“But things don’t seem that way. Nobody has ever asked them what they are doing with the money.”
