The Ministry of Culture administers a Scheme by the name of “Scheme for Financial Assistance for Veteran Artists” for senior artists aged 60 years and above who have contributed significantly in their specialized fields of performing arts and culture, but are facing financial difficulties due to old age.

Under the scheme, financial assistance of Rs. 6000/- per month is given to the selected artists aged 60 years and above whose annual income is not more than Rs. 48,000/- upon receipt of Digital Life Certificate once in a year and annual income certificate once in every Five years. As regards state wise funds sanctioned, the ‘Scheme for Financial Assistance for Veteran Artists’ is a Central Sector Scheme under which financial assistance is provided to the beneficiaries directly and is not routed through the States or Union Territories’. Funds released and number of artists supported during the last three years and the current year under the said scheme is given below:

Beneficiaries under the Scheme for Financial Assistance for Veteran Artists during last three and current financial years:

(Rs. In Lakhs)

Sl. No.	States	FY - 2020-21		FY - 2021-22		FY - 2022-23		FY - 2023-24 (as on 24.07.2023)
		Amount Disbursed	No of Beneficiaries	Amount Disbursed	No of Beneficiaries	Amount Disbursed	No of Beneficiaries	Amount Disbursed	No of Beneficiaries
	Grand  Total	871.31	2000	1542.17	3029	1859.18	3651	189.29	990

 

This reply was given by Minister of Culture, Tourism and Development of North-Eastern Region Shri G Kishan Reddy in Rajya Sabha today.

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