Bill placed in JS to protect cultural heritage of ethnic people

A bill was placed in parliament yesterday seeking to enact law to protect and develop the cultural heritage of different ethnic people and communities in the country.
Information and Cultural Affairs Minister Abul Kalam Azad placed the bill titled "The Ethnic Community's Cultural Institution Bill, 2009". The bill proposed to establish new organisations and run properly the existing institutions on cultural heritage of ethnic people.
The bill was sent to the parliamentary standing committee on cultural affairs ministry for scrutiny.
With the proposed law taking effect, existing seven cultural institutions will be regarded as cultural institutions of ethnic people.
The institutions are -- cultural academy of ethnic people at Birishiri in Netrokona, cultural institute of ethnic people at Rangamati, cultural institute of ethnic people at Bandarban, Cox's Bazar cultural centre, cultural institute of ethnic people at Khagrachhari, Rajshahi divisional cultural academy of ethnic people at Rajshahi and Monipur Lolitkala academy at Moulavibazar.
Any other cultural organisations declared by the government in official gazette will also be regarded as the institution of ethnic people.
About functions of the cultural institutions, the bill said every institution will collect information and conduct research on history, social and cultural heritage, literature, language, religion, customs, ritual of the concerned ethnic community.
The institutions will publish books, magazines and make documentaries on life, history, social and cultural heritage of ethnic community.
They will also take steps to ensure participation of local cultural activists in the programmes to celebrate different national days and provide financial assistance to insolvent cultural activists and honour eminent cultural personalities.
The institutions will also implement the government programmes to be taken to thrive culture of ethnic people.
According to the provision of the bill, each of the cultural institutions will have fund to run their activities. The fund will be comprised of government donation and funds to be collected from other local sources and institutions.
The bills also specify formation of executive council of the institutions and meeting of the executive councils and responsibilities of the councils.
According to the bill, Chakma, Marma, Tripura, Mro, Tonchonga, Bom, Pangkhoya, Chak, Khiang, Khumi, Lusai, Koach, Santal, Dalu, Usai, Rakhain, Monipuri, Garo, Hazong, Khasia, Mong, Orao, Borman, Pahari and Malpahari are ethnic people and community.