Sonu Nigam, a leading singer in the Hindi film music industry, has called for a system of royalty payment for singers.

"Singers do not get royalty payments from sales of music cassettes. Something must be done as they too deserve a share of profits," tells Nigam.

Nigam, one of the most popular male singers in Bollywood after a series of recent successes, was in the city Wednesday to announce a talent show on an entertainment TV channel.

"Music companies make profits. Composers and lyricists are paid royalties from the sales of music albums. But singers are given only a one-time payment and no royalties accrue to them.

"We hear of great singers past their prime facing tough times. They could have got their dues if the royalty system had covered singers," he said.

Nigam said singers were paid royalties in many countries. The singers' fraternity in India should take up the issue with policy-makers, he suggested.

"We should make a presentation before political leaders and the information and broadcasting ministry," Nigam added.

"We won't have to do commercial performances and shows if our financial security is taken care of by a system of royalty payment," he said.