The Government is extremely sensitive to and concerned about the improvement of financial and socio-economic status of old aged artists and scholars in the country. For assistance of old aged artistes and scholars the Government Administers a Scheme namely “Scheme for Pension and Medical Aid to Artistes”.

As mentioned above, the Government administers a Scheme namely “Scheme for Pension and Medical Aid to Artistes”. Under the Scheme, financial assistance in the form of monthly pension is provided to old artists and scholars of the age of sixty years and above. Such assistance given to the artistes recommended under the Centre-State Quota will be shared by the Centre and State Government/ UT Administration concerned with the later paying a monthly assistance of at least Rs. 500/- per month per beneficiary. The monthly assistance contributed by the Central Government in such cases shall not exceed Rs. 3500/- per month per beneficiary. The scheme has also a provision to provide medical aid facility to these Artistes and his/her spouse by covering them under a convenient and affordable health Insurance Scheme of the Central Government for treatment of diseases involving hospitalization through an identified network of health care providers. The fund in respect of the above Scheme is allocated for all the States/UTs & not State/UT-Wise.

This information was given by Minister of State (IC) for Culture and Minister of State for Environment, Forest & Climate Change Dr. Mahesh Sharma in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

 

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