Bhubaneswar: January 15: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today announced regarding age relaxation for artistes to avail pension benefits. Patnaik informed that minimum age limit for male artistes to get pension will be 50 years instead of prevailing 60 years and 40 years for female artistes. It has also been decided to decentralise selection and payment of pension to artistes at district level. Minister of Tourism and Culture Ashok Chandra Panda informed that at present nearly 4000 artistes are getting pension of Rs.1200/- each per month and as per this new initiative 50000 artistes will be benefited in the state.
