Bhubaneswar: Odisha government on Monday relaxed the age limit for artistes to avail pension benefits with an aim to cover more persons under the welfare scheme.
Announcing the decision, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik informed that from now on the age limit for male artistes to get pension will be 50 instead of 60 years and 40 years for female artistes.
Besides, the government has also decided to decentralise selection and payment of pension to artistes at district level.
"The Government has decided to slash the age criteria for pension so as to cover 50,000 artistes under the welfare scheme," said Patnaik.
Tourism and Culture Minister, Ashok Chandra Panda informed that at present nearly 4,000 artists are getting pension of Rs 1,200 per month and as per the fresh initiative another 50,000 artists will be covered in the State.