Odisha CM launches Mukhya Mantri Kalakar Sahayata Yojana for artistes’ welfare

KalingaTV News Network

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday launched the Mukhya Mantri Kalakar Sahayata Yojana (Chief Minister Artistes Aid Scheme) for the welfare of the artistes in Odisha.

“Odisha is the state of art and artistes. The artistes of our state have earned laurels for the state through their talents. We’ve been working for the development of the artistes and their art since 2000. The state government has launched ‘Mukhya Mantri Kalakar Sahayata Yojana for the welfare of the artistes,” said Patnaik after holding a high-level meeting in this regard at the state Secretariat here.

Odisha government enhanced the monthly pension for the artistes to Rs 1, 200. Besides, it relaxed the age limits of both the male and female artistes to receive the benefit. The age limit of the male artistes has been relaxed from 60 to 50 years of age, and from 50 to 40 years of age for female artists.

Currently, 4000 artistes are getting the monthly pension. However, with the new age relaxation, around 50,000 artistes will be enlisted and reap the benefit.

The CM further announced, “It has been decided to decentralize the allowance granting exercise for the larger interest of the artistes and henceforth, the district administration has been entrusted with the duty.”

Odisha Culture and Tourism Minister Ashok Panda, Chief Secretary AP Padhi, Additional Chief Secretary of Home Department Asit Tripathy and other officials attended the meeting.