Lucknow: Tourism and Culture Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Shri Jaiveer Singh, announced a significant welfare boost for elderly and financially weak folk artists during a departmental review at the Tourism Bhawan. He directed officials to increase the monthly pension for such artists from ₹2,000 to ₹4,000. He also proposed launching a Kalakar Kalyan Bima Yojana (Artist Welfare Insurance Scheme) for their benefit.
The Minister emphasized ensuring transparency from artist registration to program allocation and payment. He warned strict action, including FIRs, against officers found guilty of favoritism. He instructed that 50% of program fees be paid in advance, with the remainder cleared within a week post-performance.
Shri Singh also called for preserving endangered traditional musical instruments through workshops and quality checks of previously purchased equipment. Further, he advocated giving opportunities to local artists over high-cost celebrities and forming WhatsApp groups for better communication.
Efforts will also be made to connect folk artists with educational institutions and ensure proper auditing of cultural centers.
