Haveri: Elderly artistes who spent their lives entertaining the public are facing severe hardship due to prolonged delays in govt pension payments. Many artistes said they were forced to wait three to four years after applying for the pension, making repeated visits to govt offices with little result. Except for a handful of well-known figures, most artistes across various disciplines continue to live in uncertainty.The Kannada and culture department provides a monthly pension of Rs 2,500 to eligible senior artistes, which beneficiaries say is crucial for meeting basic needs. artistes aged above 58 years with a minimum of 25 years of service in any art form are eligible for the pension.However, artistes alleged that even after approval, pensions are delayed by three to four years, and payments for the last four months are still pending. They urged the department to simplify procedures and ensure timely disbursal.The state has separate academies for various art forms, including Yakshagana, folk theatre, drama, and music. artistes submit their applications along with required documents to the Kannada and culture department, after which local officials verify and forward them to the respective academies.The academies then conduct interviews of applicants, a process that itself takes one to two years. The applications are later sent to the state-level pension committee. Many artistes receive the pension long after applying, sometimes so late that they have nearly forgotten about it, lamented a senior artist from Haveri.Most applicants are poor and elderly artistes who are struggling to survive. Many depend on others for medicines, hospital expenses, and even bus fares. Several are battling health issues, while those living in rented houses say they are unable to afford rent.Artistes said the govt, which should ensure dignity in their twilight years, is instead causing distress by delaying pensions. There have been instances where artistes remained bedridden in their final days, waiting for the pension that never arrived. They demanded that the process be simplified so artistes can spend their last years with some peace and security.Approved after 3 yearsAround 800 pension applications from the 2021-22 and 2022-23 financial years have now been approved across the state. These beneficiaries are expected to receive their pensions within the next one to two months. In Haveri district, 411 artistes are currently receiving pensions, with Rs 1.1 crore disbursed every month. At present, 54 applications, 27 each from 2021-22 and 2022-23, have been approved in the district. However, hundreds of applications submitted after 2023 are still under review and may take another two years for approval, officials said.QUOTE Of the applications submitted two to three years ago for artistes’ pensions in Haveri district, 54 have been approved, and funds will be released soon-Veerayyaswami Hiremath, assistant director, Kannada and culture department, Haveri.
