Jalandhar, December 19: Local Government, Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu today said that the Tourism and Cultural affairs department has made a recommendation to the state government for keeping a budgetary allocation of Rs 25 lakh for the prestigious Harivallabh Sangeet Sammelan in the city.
Interacting with the media persons here today, the Minister said that apart from this he would give Rs 10 lakh to the Sabha from his discretionary fund for its immense contribution in keeping the flame of traditional music alive. He said that this festival was the basic essence of our rich culture and our younger generations must be apprised about it due to which the state government has also decide to adopt it. Sidhu said that it was all the more important to keep our younger generations abreast of the glorious cultural legacy of the state and the country.
The Minister said that the state government was spending Rs 60 crore for reviving cultural festivals at Amritsar, Kapurthala and Patiala besides giving a major push to the tourism sector. He said that a ‘Parliament of Culture’ was being formed under Surjit Paatar to preserve the rich culture of state at grass root level. Sidhu said that besides showcasing the traditional music, art and culture of the state this Parliament would counter the growing vulgarity in music through positive means.
The Minister said that dying arts was a symbol of our glorious culture and that would be preserved at every cost. He said that this Parliament would provide the much needed platform to the budding artists for showcasing their talent thereby promoting the rich
cultural heritage of the state in a big way. Likewise, he said that new Tourism policy of the state would also aim at giving a major push to this sector.
The Minister said that there was lot of potential in this sector and every effort would be made to tap it. He said that the Tourism industry contributes to 12.5% of the national GDP and efforts would be made to enhance its contribution in state also. Sidhu said that the state government would dedicatedly work to complete all the targets in the coming years.