Mehbooba Mufti urges Amit Shah to provide funding for J&K Prasar Bharati

SRINAGAR: Former chief minister and People's Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti asked Union home minister Amit Shah for dedicated funding for Prasar Bharati in Jammu and Kashmir and special schemes under the culture ministry to support the struggling artist fraternity in the Union Territory.

In a letter to Shah, she said artists, musicians, writers, theatre practitioners and filmmakers are custodians of heritage and vital cultural ambassadors of J&K.

"Through their craft, they safeguard our rich civilisational identity, promote national integration, and serve as crucial bridges connecting J&K with the rest of India. To sustain this vital role, they require meaningful institutional support and sustained patronage," said Mufti.


Mufti requested dedicated funding for public broadcasters by allocating adequate, earmarked funds for local content production across Doordarshan and Akashvani Kendras in the Union Territory, with a specific focus on DD Kashmir.

She also sought targeted initiatives and specialised financial assistance schemes by central cultural bodies such as the culture ministry and other associated institutions for the creative fraternity in the J&K.

"This will ensure our artists have continuous avenues to create, perform, and secure a dignified livelihood," Mufti said.