Mysore/Mysuru: The pension scheme sanctioned by the State Government to artistes will be streamlined and all the pensions that have been delayed so far due to various reasons will be settled within 15 days, directed Kannada and Culture Minister C.T. Ravi. The monthly pension of over 2,934 artistes in Karnataka has been delayed.

Chairing a review meeting of his Department and Presidents of various Academies and Authorities at Vidhana Soudha on Wednesday, the Minister asked the officials to deposit the pension money in the bank accounts of all the 2,934 artistes within 15 days and without any further delay.

He said that artistes who are jobless and in misery due to COVID-19 have been given a grant of Rs. 3.45 crore and this money has not yet reached the artistes. Ravi said the pending annual awards to deserving personalities by various Academies in the last three years should be distributed immediately.

Buildings to house the Academies such as Tulu Academy, Konkani, Byari and Kodava Academy that have been taken up from the funds released by Border Development Authority which were still in incomplete stage must be completed at the earliest. The Academies must function from the new premises, the Minister told the officers.

Work on formulating programmes by using e-software developed by Kannada Development Authority was in progress and it should be implemented from Nov. 1. Problems related to their departments must be resolved locally through video conferencing with the Deputy Commissioners concerned. Duplication must be avoided while printing books. Academies and Authorities and young writers should be given opportunity while selecting new titles, the Minister said.

He said a National Folklore Mela will be held in Bengaluru on behalf of the Government of India                that has already instructed all the States in this regard. Officials must get into work immediately to make this event a grand success. Since Karnataka is known for its cultural heritage, arrangements should be made in a befitting manner and a detailed report must be submitted to the Centre, the Minister told officials.