Cash awards to be goven to writers in J&K

In a major revamp of its literature award scheme, the J&K Academy of Art, Culture & Languages Saturday announced new rules for Best Book and Best Translation Award scheme bringing the two coveted book awards at par with rules and regulations of Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi.
Announcing the changes, Secretary Academy, Dr. Aziz Hajini said that from now onwards the awards in Best Book and Best Translation category will be given on the basis of ground jury recommendations on the pattern in vogue in the National Akademi of Letters. “Till now writers used to submit their books for consideration under the relevant award scheme. But from now onwards this will not happen as the Governor in his capacity as President /Patron of the Academy has given his nod to adoption of Sahitya Akademi pattern for JKAACL award scheme,” Hajini disclosed. Interestingly, apart from notifying a new procedure for its coveted literature awards, JKAACL has also announced enhancement of award
money from the existing Rs 51,000 to Rs 75,000 for books adjudged as best in a particular year and from Rs 25,000 to Rs 40,000 for best translated works in a given year. “The new rules shall be applicable for 2016 awards for which the process shall commence after the winners of the under process 2015 awards are made public,” Hajini informed.