New Delhi, December 16: The AAP dispensation has empowered legislators to hold cultural events in their constituencies with government funds, a move aimed at providing more residents access to performances of artistes, an official said. Such events traditionally centred around Lutyens Delhi such as Mandi House area which houses several auditoriums. According to decisions taken at a recent meeting chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, an MLA wanting to hold a cultural event will have to submit a proposal to the academy secretary concerned who will prepare an estimate and hand it over to him or her.
An official said Rs 25 lakh each has been set aside for all 70 constituencies for holding cultural programmes annually. Once the estimate is prepared, the legislator will have to submit the request to the minister of art, culture and languages (ACL) department, currently headed by Sisodia. "For instance, if a legislator wants to organise a cultural programme belonging to the Sikh community in a particular area, he or she will have to approach the Punjabi Academy," an official said. Bigg Boss 18 Episode Update: Eisha Singh and Avinash Mishra’s Friendship on the Line in the Upcoming Nomination Round