Tuesday, January 11 2011
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Both the Arts and Multiculturalism Ministry and Pan Trinbago are standing their ground to settle their differences regarding pan players’ fees for the upcoming 2011 Panorama competition.
Late last year, Arts and Multiculturalism Minister, Winston Peters, announced his ministry was rethinking the fee of $1000 paid to pan players participating in the Panorama competition. This was met with disapproval from Pan Trinbago which threatened to boycott Panorama. The minister announced that the fee will be reduced to $800 per player which Pan Trinbago also disagreed.
In a meeting two weeks ago, members of Pan Trinbago and its executive agreed to go ahead with the competition, but insisted that they would like to receive the $1000 fee per player. They instead opted to keep the first prize as $1 million as opposed to the $2 million promised for first prize in Carnival Calypso, Soca, Chutney and Panorama competitions within the 2010/2011 budget.
Since the decision was made Pan Trinbago has written letters to all Cabinet ministers informing them of their decision. President of the association, Keith Diaz said on Friday that there has been no meeting planned between Pan Trinbago and the ministry to discuss the matter. Peters also stated this in an interview yesterday.
Esme Rawlins-Charles, Permanent Secretary at the ministry announced on Friday during the launch of Panorama that Cabinet has approved $2.6 million for all unsponsored bands participating in Panorama. Peters explained yesterday this amount was negotiated between Pan Trinbago and the ministry.
He said depending on the size of the band, they will receive $10,000 or $20,000. He could not say how many bands will benefit from this assistance, but he said the bands were those identified by Pan Trinbago.
“That is how we came up with the figure. We negotiated with Pan Trinbago to assist those bands with their preparations to take part in Panorama, who do not have sponsors, “ he said.
Replies
Winston "JACKASS" Peters at it again!