'Singers have been deprived of the royalties, and exploited, for years'

After the recent raids on music labels, Indian Singers Rights Association (ISRA) head, Sanjay Tandon says stringent steps have been a long time coming

Last week, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted raids on music labels T-Series, Saregama, Universal Music Group, Sony Music and Yash Raj Films, as part of a probe into alleged non-payment of royalties to artistes. While the labels played down the raids, terming them as surveys, Sanjay Tandon, managing director, Indian Singers Rights Association (ISRA), is content with the move.

Sanjay Tandon

"Singers can no longer be taken for granted," he says, adding, "They have been deprived of the royalties, and exploited, for years. If they don't sign on the dotted line [agreeing to their terms], the music companies boycott them. It's sad that instead of promoting talent, they exploit the artistes."

Tandon adds that as per the amended provision in the Copyright Act of June, 2012, the lyricists and singers are entitled to get 50 per cent royalty on any commercial use of their songs. "ISRA has been fighting for singers' royalties since May 2013, but to no avail. Though the industry should help promote the artistes, this job is now being done by the ED, which gives hope to singers."

A senior composer, on condition of anonymity said, "The music companies have been collecting royalties on behalf of singers and composers, but the amount never reaches us." Vinod Bhanushali of T-Series, says, "We haven't collected any royalties on behalf of composers and lyricists. We have only collected those for our sound recordings, as per law."

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