They said existing allocation is not adequate as most of it is spent for the remuneration of employees, infra-structural development and maintenance purpose.

The roundtable on 'Enhancement of budget for cultural development' was organised by Bangladesh Sangskritikarmi Sangha, an organisation of cultural activists, at the National Press Club. Poet Sumadra Gupta moderated it.

Taking part in the roundtable, Prof Abdullah Abu Sayeed, a noted literary personality, said there is huge budget for defence or even for sports sector, but not so much for culture.

Of the total Tk 48 crore annual budget of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Tk 18 crore is not enough for patronisation of cultural activities in a country like Bangladesh which has rich cultural heritage, he added.

Prof Sayeed demanded that the budget for cultural sector should be gradually raised to Tk 1000 crore.

"Bureaucratic tangle and the presence of people having little knowledge about our culture in the top position of the cultural ministry are the main problems we face," said Syed Lutful Haque, an eminent artist.

"Filmmaking has been declared as an industry, but like other industries we don't get bank loan facilities. I believe the lack of interest by the government in this sector is partly responsible for substandard condition of the film industry, " said filmmaker Shiblee Sadik.

Khandaker Shah Alam, a theatre activist, placed a 15-point demand at the roundtable that included establishment of the branches of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy at the grass-roots level, and a research centre for preservation and development of indigenous culture.