1,200 Old Artistes Likely To Get Pension In Telangana

Hundreds more old artistes in Telangana who are facing financial problems may get some reprieve as the State government has agreed to offer them a pension of Rs 1,500 every month.

Another 1,200 old artistes are all set to get the pension benefit through a process supervised by the district Collectors, who will identify deserving recipients.

Right now, the State government is extending pension to 2,048 old artistes (a process that started in September 2014) through transfer to their personal bank accounts, and 1,200 more such artistes will now get this support.

The TRS government today directed the Collectors of all districts to identify old artistes in need of such pensions. The Department of Language and Culture of Telangana issued orders this regard.

In the guidelines issued, the officials said that applications from artistes aged at least 58 years will be accepted till February 10, and forwarded to the Department of Culture for scrutiny by February 29. While the minister concerned will head the committee at the State-level, the district Collectors will do so at the district level, with the DPRO being the convener and other relevant officials being members.