New Delhi. There has been a big controversy in Cine and TV Artists Association (CINTAA). Suddenly 11 members of CINTAA have resigned from their posts. Its responsible chairperson has been appointed Poonam Dhillon and senior vice-chairperson Padmini Kolhapure. All the members allege that Poonam and Padmini are doing their own thing in the association. Everyone is leaving CINTAA upset with his decisions. The resigned members have demanded re-election.
Poonam Dhillon broke her silence
Now Poonam Dhillon has reacted in this matter. Poonam has responded to the allegations in a conversation with Hindustan Times. He says he is shocked by these allegations. Poonam said- Padmini and I are working hard to build good goodwill for CINTAA by using our resources and contacts. We have no personal interest in this. No one had done anything for the members of the association till now. I myself am surprised to hear about these allegations.
Poonam alleges that the resigned members were trying to save CAWT (Cine Artistes Welfare Trust). This trust was formed by late Dilip Kumar, Amrish Puri, Amjad Khan and other seniors. According to Poonam, this trust has not fulfilled its responsibility of providing medical facilities to its members. No member of the current committee has tried to raise money for CAWT in the last several decades. Recently we raised funds by organizing an event and gifted sarees to artists like Kavita Krishnamurthy and Madhushree and kurtas to Nitin Mukesh. All of them had performed without taking fees.
Poonam says- Those who have resigned are accusing us of buying sarees. But did we buy these sarees for ourselves? We gave it to the artists as a mark of respect because they had performed without taking any money. On the request of Padmini and me, he performed for CINTAA. Through these performances we raised a fund of Rs 1 crore. In such a situation, if we buy gifts worth Rs 1 lakh from it, then what is the problem in it?
Poonam alleges that some members who have resigned have been promised higher positions and other facilities when a new committee is formed. She says- Puneet Issar had hardly attended two meetings in two years. But the day they wanted to dissolve the committee, Puneet was called only to remove us. Many members were forced to resign. But we still have the majority. The committee still remains in place.
Poonam also hit back at CINTAA General Secretary Upasana Singh. According to him, he and Padmini are even spending their own money to run this organization. TV sets are inspected continuously. She wants to work more for the betterment of this institute.