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. As per the extant Scheme guidelines the financial assistance up to Rs. 6000/- per month is being provided to the selected artists irrespective of the States/UTs to which the concerned beneficiary belongs. Under the scheme 11233 artists from different States/UTs have been selected. It has been the constant endeavor of the Government to make continuous efforts to ensure timely disbursement of the financial assistance to the selected beneficiaries of all States/UTs including State of Kerala, upon receipt of requisite documents from them. The disbursement of financial assistance under the Scheme, however depends upon submission of certain mandatory documents by the beneficiaries. Once the requisite documents are received from the beneficiaries, all efforts are made to disburse the financial assistance expeditiously. Further to ensure timely disbursement of financial assistance to the beneficiaries, an MoU has been signed between the Ministry and Canara Bank on 28.06.2023.
the scheme was recently reviewed and monthly financial assistance has been increased from Rs.4000/- to Rs.6000/- from June, 2022. This information was given by Minister of Culture, Tourism & Development of North Eastern Region Shri G. Kishan Reddy in Lok Sabha on yesterday.
