The State Government on Monday announced increase of the amounts of cash prizes for several Sahitya Akademi awards, including the Atibadi Jagannath Das Puraskar.
Tourism and Culture Minister Ashok Panda announced this after presiding over a review meeting on the annual activities of the Odisha Sahitya Akademi at the State Secretariat. According to the decision, the cash prize of Atibadi Puraskar would be hiked to Rs 1 lakh from existing Rs 50,000. Similarly, literary awards would be increased from Rs 25,000 to Rs 30,000 and Sarashwata Puraskar from Rs 5,000 to Rs 20,000, Panda informed.
The meeting also decided to encourage the litterateurs and literary activities in the State. Culture Secretary Arabind Padhee stressed on regular publication of “Konark”, a magazine of the Odisha Sahitya Akademi and also of a special supplement to mark the centenary celebration of eminent litterateur Gopinath Mohanty. Additional Director of Tourism and Culture Bijay Nayak and many other senior officials were present.