Question : National Artistes Welfare Fund

(a) whether the Government has formulated a National Artistes Welfare Fund and Artistes Pension Scheme and Welfare Fund for the welfare of cultural artists of various fields;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the funds released, allocated and spent under these schemes during the last three years;

(c) the number of artistes benefitted under these schemes during each of the last three years and the current year, State/UT-wise;

(d) whether the Government proposes to increase the financial assistance of artists and if so, the details thereof; and

(e) whether the provisions of financial assistance under Welfare Fund of Artistes Pension Scheme is under review and if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE (I/C) FOR CULTURE AND TOURISM
(Dr. MAHESH SHARMA)

(a) Yes, Madam. National Artistes Welfare Fund and Artistes Pension Scheme and Welfare Fund are ingredients of a single Scheme titled “Artistes Pension Scheme and Welfare Fund”.

(b) As per the extant guidelines of the Scheme titled ‘Artistes Pension Scheme and Welfare Fund’ financial assistance from the Government is provided in the form of monthly allowance to the Artistes recommended under the Centre-State Quota on sharing basis between Centre and State Government /UT Administration concerned, with the latter paying a monthly allowance of at least Rs.500/- per month per beneficiary. The monthly allowance contributed by the Central Government in such cases shall not exceed Rs. 3500/- per month per beneficiary. The details of funds allocated & released to Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) for disbursement of pension to the beneficiaries under the above scheme during the last 3 years are as under:-

(Rs. In Crore)
Year Funds allocated Funds released Funds spent
2014-15 19.00 17.64 15.63
2015-16 18.45 17.78 13.86
2016-17 18.00 13.68 13.17(up to Feb 2017)

(c) Information is being collected from LIC and the same will be laid on the table of the House.

(d) No, Madam.

(e) No, Madam