PANAJI
Local artists, musicians and entertainers have been struggling to make their ends meet in the time of the pandemic when weddings and functions are hard to come by because of the Covid restrictions.
Many have lost their livelihood in the last one year as small functions, weddings and other programmes are not happening.
These entertainers have now demanded financial assistance from the government.
The Navelim MLA Luizinho Faleiro has also echoed the demand of these local entertainment industry persons.
An organization of professionals in the entertainment industry, the Goa Entertainment Association (GEA), has submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant with a demand for financial assistance for them.
A large number of Goa entertainers are affected due to the uncertain nature of the pandemic. These entertainers have no other source of income other than music and related activities.
Entertainment activity involves heavy investment in regular maintenance of instruments as well as up-gradation.
The GEA has demanded to provide loans at an interest-free or subsidized rate to tide over this situation repayable after 5 years and also announce a relief package.
MLA Luizinho Faleiro has also taken up the demand of these entertainers and written to the Government to give financial relief to these entertainers who are struggling in the pandemic.
“As we plan for economic recovery, the music industry should be recognized as a major growth driver. Accordingly, I suggest that a financial package on the line of assistance provided to other affected groups should be made available to them,” said Faleiro in a letter to CM Sawant.
Faleiro has also demanded that Government should give local entertainers priority and patronize their services while hiring entertainers and artists during various events hosted by the Government.
