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Mumbai: Modernise cultural schemes with tech, make awards merit-based: Shelar

Mumbai, June 9 (UNI): Maharashtra Information Technology and Cultural Affairs Minister Adv. Ashish Shelar on Tuesday directed the Directorate of Cultural Affairs to modernise all schemes using technology to make them more transparent, effective and artist-centric.
Chairing a review meeting at Mantralaya on awards, scholarships, grants and artist welfare schemes, Shelar stressed time-bound, merit-based selections through expert committees for prestigious honours including Maharashtra Bhushan Award, Lata Mangeshkar Award, Bharat Ratna Pandit Bhimsen Joshi Classical Music Lifetime Achievement Award, Natvarya Prabhakar Panshikar and Sangeetacharya Annasaheb Kirloskar Theatre Lifetime Achievement Awards, Tamasha Samragni Vithabai Narayangaonkar Award and Dnyanoba-Tukaram Award.
He also reviewed the State Cultural Awards and State Cultural Youth Awards. The minister directed that their scope be broadened by increasing art categories, incorporating new forms of artistic expression and recognising more deserving artists to encourage both senior and young talent.
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