The controversial selection has become a subject of discussion in literary circles.
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The government has ordered an inquiry into the procedure adopted by the Telangana State Urdu Academy in the recent selection of writers and poets for the prestigious Makhdoom and Maulana Abul Kalam Azad awards.
Mr B. Shafiullah, incharge secretary and director of Urdu Academy, has been asked to inquire whether or not the laid down procedure was followed in the appointment of the selection committee and choice of the awardees.
Following a report in these columns, the government took serious note of the procedural lapses in setting up of the selection committee which had no official nominee. Moreover, a member of the selection committee was chosen for the Makhdoom award.
CM’s special secretary K. Bhoopal Reddy is believed to have discussed the issue with the government’s adviser on minority affairs A.K. Khan and Mr Shafiullah and felt an inquiry was necessary.
The controversial selection has become a subject of discussion in literary circles. In the last two days, Mr Khan and Mr Shafiullah have received many letters from the public expressing surprise at the selection of nominees by bypassing procedures.
Many wanted to know why none of the Board members of the Urdu Academy were present in the selection committee.
According to GO 42, secretaries of the minorities welfare and finance departments, the commissioner or director, minorities welfare, are ex-officio members of the board while director or
secretary of the Academy is the ex-officio secretary member.
On Thursday, minorities welfare secretary Benhur Mahesh Dutt Ekka issued orders asking the Urdu Academy incharge director to inquire into the matter and submit a report at the earliest. “I will look into the matter and submit a report within a week,” Mr Shafiullah said. Authorities have cancelled the programme scheduled to be held on June 25 for giving away the awards.
J.S.Ifthekhar,
Hyderabad based journalist.
Article published in Deccan Chronicle
Dated June 21,2019
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