New Era | Udichi demands one percent of the budget for the cultural sector

Bangladeshi Udichi Shilpigosthi on Friday demanded one percent allocation of the state budget for the financial year 2024-25 for the cultural sector.

The cultural organization made this demand during a roundtable discussion session titled ‘National Budget: Importance of One Percent Allocation for Cultural Sector’ held at the National Theater Hall of Shilpakala Academy, Bangladesh.

Udichi General Secretary Amit Ranjan Dey read the policy essay during the session.

He said that cultural activists have been demanding at least one percent of the state budget for several years, but the government has not allocated more than 0.09-0.16 percent to the cultural sector.

“If we want to live in a progressive and thinking society, there is no alternative to increasing the allocation for the cultural sector,” said Amit Ranjan Dey, adding that a one percent allocation of the state budget to the cultural sector is a timely demand.

He mentioned that measures should be taken to prevent irregularities and corruption to ensure proper use of the allocation.

Thespian Mamunur Rashid said that cultural activists have the right to have an adequate budget.

“The main reason for the insufficient budget for the cultural sector is the neglect of the ruling class towards this sector,” said Mamunur Rashid.

Chairing the session, President Udichi Badiur Rahman said the government must increase budget allocation for sustainable development of the country.

Besides, vice president Udichi Mahmud Selim, director Manzare Hassin Murad, economics professor MM Akash, translator Abdus Selim, theater personality M Hamid and board member of the Liberation War Museum Mofidul Hoque were present at the round table discussion session, among others.