Chief Minister Revanth Reddy today announced that the State government would give a Rs 25,000 monthly pension to all Padma awardees from the State.
He added that the State government had decided to offer a Rs 25 lakh cash prize too to the awardees.
The CM was speaking at a program by the State government to felicitate the recipients of this year's Padma awards at Shilpakala Vedika. Former Vice President Venkaiah Naidu and film actor Chiranjeevi, who were conferred upon the second highest civilian award Padma Vibhushan this year, were among those honoured during the event.
The other awardees who were felicitated include Gaddam Sammaiah, Dasari Kondappa, Ananda Chari, Umamaheshwari, Kethavath Somlal and Kurella Vitalacharya.
Speaking on the occasion, the CM said the government was conscious of the responsibility of honouring the Padma awardees, as their wins were a great honour for Telugu people irrespective of where they resided in the world.
He also said that artists from rural areas would be encouraged more in Telangana, and that efforts would be made to unveil hidden artistic talent in the future.
"The State government will continue its effort to protect the culture and tradition of Telangana in the days to come," Reddy said.