CPI(M) demands Kerala government withdraw funding cuts to Sahitya Akademi
The party alleges that the reduced financial allocation will cripple the premier cultural institution's activities and ability to pay employee salaries.
The CPI(M) has called on the Kerala government to retract a decision to significantly lower the financial allocation for the Kerala Sahitya Akademi, according to The Hindu.
CPI(M) Thrissur district committee secretary K.V. Abdul Khader stated that an October 11 order has restricted the Akademi's funding to ₹50 lakh. This amount includes ₹25 lakh for programmes and ₹25 lakh for award ceremonies.
Mr. Khader noted that the previous LDF government had provided ₹5 crore in its latest Budget, while the UDF government's first Budget reduced this to ₹3.5 crore. He claimed the current reduction will impact the republication of old books, library needs, and upcoming literary and book festivals.
The party secretary further alleged that the financial constraints have caused two months of salary arrears for employees, noting that August salaries were paid with a fortnight's delay. He said the cuts come as the Akademi nears its 70th anniversary.
The Akademi has been without office-bearers for nearly four months since the UDF government took office, with a governing body led by writer Kalpetta Narayanan currently in charge. Mr. Khader urged the government to reconsider the order and provide adequate support.