Tura, Dec 2: Upcoming musicians from Garo Hills participating in the Meghalaya Grassroot Music Project (MGMP) have raised concerns over various alleged anomalies currently taking place in the implementation of the scheme.
“There have been ongoing payment delays, mismanagement of funds, and changes to the project’s focus. Despite our hard work and dedication to the success of the MGMP, we have faced serious financial struggles due to the lack of timely payment. Over the past three months, we have performed at various events but have not been paid on time. These delays have caused significant financial difficulties for us, affecting our ability to support ourselves and grow as artists,” they stated, while seeking an investigation into the matter.
The aspiring musicians, while acknowledging the value of other art forms, also raised concern over the inclusion of dancers and actors in a project that was originally meant to focus on music. “Their involvement raises questions about the project’s original mission and how resources are being distributed,” they added.
Other issues raised by the aspiring artists include discrepancies in payments for performance (e.g. Rs 25,000/- for six band members), potential use of the project by certain individuals for personal gain etc.
“In light of these concerns, we are calling for a thorough investigation into how MGMP handles payments and its overall management. We believe there needs to be more transparency and accountability to ensure the project supports artists as intended,” they stated.
