The Hindu : Front Page : Good response to welfare plan

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Wednesday, May 14, 2008
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Good response to welfare plan

T. Saravanan

More than 500 persons registered
Awareness campaigns planned

MADURAI: Folk Artistes’ Social Security and Welfare scheme has evoked good response from beneficiaries in the districts of Madurai, Theni, Dindigul, Sivaganga and Ramanathapuram with more than 500 persons registered to avail themselves of the benefits, according to R. Jagadheesan, Assistant Director, Regional Centre for Art and Culture.

Launched by the State Government, the initiative is aimed at protecting the livelihood of poor folk artistes. With a fund of Rs.1 crore, the scheme envisages implementation of various welfare measures including provision of financial assistance to meet the expenses of child birth to the funeral rites of the registered member.

Under the scheme, every registered folk artiste, above 60 years of age would be eligible for a pension of Rs. 300 a month, if he/she had continued in the profession for not less than five years.

Further, an assistance of Rs.2,000 would be sanctioned to meet the funeral expenses of a registered folk artiste.

If a registered member meets with natural death, the nominee of the deceased will be entitled to Rs.15,000.

The scheme also provided education assistance to the son or daughter of the registered member in the range of Rs.1,000 to Rs.6,000.

The Regional Centre for Art and Culture had planned to organise awareness campaigns in the districts to mobilise members, said Mr. Jagadheesan.

Folk artistes in the age group of 18 to 60 years are eligible to apply.

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