not yet been transferred to revenue budget. They are deprived of full facilities of a government job despite working in a state-owned organisation.

Since the establishment of the broadcasting centre during the British rule, instrument players have been working as staff artistes on contract basis. But the instrument players working in Bangladesh Television are appointed as permanent staff.

M Nazmul Ahsan, director general of Bangladesh Betar, said, "These instrument players' service has not been transferred to the revenue budget. As a result, they do not get facilities that other government service holders enjoy."

"During retirement they get one-month salary per year of service. For example, after working for 14 years as a staff artiste, one will get only 14 months' salary at a time," he said. "We have already discussed the matter to resolve the problem."

Many renowned composers of Bangladesh Betar including Samar Das and Shujeo Shyam retired as staff artistes. Shujeo Shyam said, "During my retirement I received only Tk 150,000. I do not get pension or other facilities what a BTV artiste gets."

He said there should not be different policies for two similar organisations.

M Mahbubur Rahman, secretary of information ministry, said, "I have already asked the director general of Bangladesh Betar to prepare necessary papers for absorbing the staff artistes as regular government employees."

When contacted, Information Minister M Shamsul Islam said, "Within a few days we will talk about the matter with other ministries. We will try our best to absorb the staff artistes of Bangladesh Betar as full-time staff."

Nijeshwa Sangeet Shilpi Shangstha (NSSS), an organisation of staff artistes of

Bangladesh Betar, is demanding regularisation of the staff artistes.

Renowned flute player and Chairman of NSSS Gazi Abdul Hakim said many of the staff artistes have achieved international recognition but unfortunately they have not been recognised by Bangladesh Betar where they work.

"We demand immediate absorption of these staff artistes in the regular government service," he said. Renowned singers have also expressed solidarity with the demand of the staff artistes.

Singer Runa Laila said, "We cannot sing without the instrument players. I request the government to take immediate step to allocate their salary from the revenue budget."