The first prize has been raised from Rs 5,000 to Rs 11,000 and that of the second prize from

Rs 3,000 to Rs 7,000. The third prize has been hiked from Rs 2,000 to Rs 5,000. The move, though belated, is worth welcoming given the current period of recession and the poor economic condition of writers in general.

It so happened that when department officials had been to the minister seeking appointment for the prize function, he asked about the amount to be given. “When we told him the figures, he ordered an immediate hike,” said Kirit Dudhat, acting registrar of the Gujarati Sahitya Academy.

Dudhat said the minister made it sure the Finance Department gave an express approval. The hike, as of now, is only for prize winning books in Gujarati. For other academies, the government is yet to consider the raise, which, it is expected, is just a matter of time.

Kachchhi Sahitya Academy president Kirti Kari has welcomed the move and supported the case for other academies. Kachchhi is the only language academy, which has a full-fledged body and can increase prize money on its own without government approval. Other academies cannot do so, as officials alone run them in the absence of elected bodies.