Madurai: The Madurai Bench of Madras High Court on Monday directed the State Government to expedite the process of framing guidelines regarding the eligibility criteria and method of selection of Kalaimamani awardees. The directions were issued on two PILs that alleged irregularities in the selection of Kalaimamani awardees.

It also said to notify the guidelines on the official website of Tamil Nadu Eyal Isai Nataka Manram (TNEINM). A Bench of justices R Mahadevan and J Sathya Narayana Prasad also wanted the Government to reconstitute the expert committee, which selects artists for conferring Kalaimamani awards within three months.

The judges observed that the Kalaimamani award is a prestigious State Award conferred on eminent artists who have dedicated their lives to the development of art and culture, including folk arts, cinema and television.

The authorities and the committee should strictly adhere to the guidelines to ensure that the selection process is fair, transparent and unbiased and that the award is conferred on only those who truly deserve it, the Bench said.