DAKHA, 24 November 2020, (TON):  On 23 November, the cabinet of the Bangladesh government approves the first 'Bangladesh Film Artists Welfare Trust Act-2020'. It is enacted for the welfare of the artists of the film industry.

A cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was held on the virtual way, decided to draft this act for the film artist as there is another law 'Artist Welfare Trust' under the ministry of culture.

After the meeting, the cabinet secretary KhandakerAnwarul Islam confirmed this draft law has been enacted as per the prime minister's instruction by considering the overall welfare of the film artists who are insolvent and incapable to carry their treatment and expenditure.

The secretary said there would be a 13-member board under the information minister as its chairman and there would be a managing director elected by the government. He added the trust would have a fund of its own and anyone could donate it as well as the government would give money from the annual budget each year.

However, the secretary highlighted the task of the board by saying that it would work for the welfare of the film artists, undertake various development projects for the interest of the film artists, provide necessary financial support to insolvent and incapable artists who are unable to work professionally, assist sick artists by bearing their medical expenses, and also support the artists' family after their death.He also mentioned that those who are under the Artist Welfare Trust of the cultural ministry would not be benefited from the newly proposed Bangladesh Film Artist Welfare Trust-2020.

This drafted act will ensure the security of the artists during their crisis moments.