After sportspersons, old artists to get pension

Ranchi: The economically weak and aged artists of the state will soon get a monthly

pension

of Rs 1,000 under Kalakaar Vridha Pension Yojana. The state art, culture, sports and youth affairs department said it will soon invite applicants for the scheme.

“The scheme has been approved by the government. We will now advertise in the local newspapers, and ask the deserving jobless and poor retired artists to apply for the scheme,” art and culture director Ashok Kumar Singh said.

“A sum of around Rs 5 lakh has been fixed for at least 80 to 85 artists, who have earned a name in the district, state, national and international level but do not have proper livelihood,” the director added.

The plan to create a platform for the tribal and general category artists at their retiring phase was proposed early this year. On receiving the applications, a committee of the art and culture department will scrutinize and allot the monthly pension accordingly.

Singh said, “Presently, we are providing a certain grant to some organization of artists. The initiative was taken to support the artists individually on behalf of the state government.”

Dinesh Singh, an elderly reputed painter of Ranchi, who is now unable to meet his basic requirements, welcomed the plan. He said, “It is an appreciable step for the financially weak artists like us.”

On November 10, a similar announcement was made by the sports department for retired players.


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