Question : Artists' Pension Scheme

(a) whether the Government has formulated a welfare pension or financial assistance/honorarium/ scholarship scheme for the cultural artists in the field of performing arts, literature, drama and theatre etc.;

(b) if so, the details thereof including the names of such artists benefited under these schemes during each of the last three years and the current year, State/UT-wise;

(c) the total funds sanctioned and released under the scheme during the said period, State/UT-wise;

(d) whether the Government proposes to increase the financial assistance/pension amount for the artists under the said scheme and if so, the details thereof; and

(e) whether the Government has received applications for providing pension from artists and if so, the status of those applications?

MINISTER OF STATE (I/C) FOR CULTURE AND TOURISM

(Dr. MAHESH SHARMA)

(a) Yes, Madam. The Ministry of Culture administers the “Artistes Pension Scheme and Welfare Fund”.

(b) As per the extant guidelines assistance from the Government is in the form of monthly allowance. Such allowance given to the Artistes recommended under the Centre-State Quota will be shared by the 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.

As per the Scheme those artistes and traditional scholars shall be eligible for getting the assistance who have made significant contribution in their fields, art and letters etc. and their income (including income of the spouse) must not exceed Rs. 4000/- per month and also their age should not be less than 60 years.

The information regarding the artistes benefited under the aforesaid scheme during the last three years and the current year is being collected and will be laid on the Table of the House.

(c) The funds under the scheme are sanctioned and released by the Ministry to the Service Provider the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) and not State/UT-wise. The details of total amount of funds sanctioned and released to LIC for disbursement of artistes pension under the scheme in the last 3 years and the current year are as under:-

(Rs. In Crore)
Year Budget allocated Financial assistance granted
2013-14 19.35 15.31
2014-15 19.00 17.64
2015-16 18.45 17.78
2016-17 18.00 7.72
(as on date)

(d) No, Madam.

(e) Yes, Madam. As on 31.7.2016, a total of 5478 applications have been received from artists for providing pension. These applications shall be considered in the next meeting of Expert Committee of the scheme.