New Delhi: It has been reported that the JCB Literary Award, which used to offer the highest prize money in India, has been discontinued. Although there is no official confirmation, some people associated with the award have clarified this to a news agency.

Normally, literary works for the award are invited around the first week of March every year. This time, that did not happen. There were no announcements on the official social media accounts either.

The JCB Literary Award, which was launched in 2018, carries a cash prize of Rs 25 lakh for the winners. The award is given for works written in English or translated into English by Indians.

The first prize was presented to Malayali writer Benyamin in 2018. The English translation of Benyamin's novel 'Mullapoo Niramulla Pakalukal' won the award. Later, in 2020, S Harish won the award for the English translation of his novel 'Meesha' and in 2021, M Mukundan won the award for his English translation of the novel 'Delhi Gadhakal'. Last year, the award went to English writer Upamanyu Chatterjee. The English translation of Malayalam writer Sandhya Mary's novel 'Maria Verum Maria' also was in the nomination list.

There was criticism last year against the JCB Literary Award. It is learnt that the award was planned to be discontinued after these reports.

Hundreds of writers wrote an open letter, pointing out that JCB machines are becoming a means of destruction, including in India and Palestine, and that the literary prize has not washed away the blood stains on JCB's hands.