The Maharashtra government announced on July 2 the institution of the Swar Samragni Asha Bhosle Sangeet Jeevan Gaurav Puraskar, a lifetime achievement award to honour outstanding contributions to music. Making the announcement in the Legislative Council, cultural affairs minister Ashish Shelar said that the award would carry a cash prize of Rs. 10 lakh, a shawl and a citation. The recipient will be selected by a panel of music experts.