Bhubaneswar: Taking an initiative for promotion of various forms of folk arts in Odisha, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced increase in remuneration of folk artistes.

The remuneration has been hiked for folk artistes who are performing for awareness programmes organised by the Department of Information and Public Relations, an official release stated today.

As per the release, the CM has directed the authorities to increase the remuneration of artistes for promotion of various folk arts like Daskathia, Pala, Ghoda Nacha and other forms of folk dance and music.

As per the decision, the hiked remuneration will be provided to each folk artiste to for three performances in three hours in a day. The team leader will be paid Rs 1000, and other members will get Rs 800 each. In addition, the artistes will be given Rs 300 each per day for their transportation and food.

As per the revision in remuneration, a two-member team for Daskathia performance will receive Rs 2400, a hike by Rs 400 against the previous remuneration structure of Rs 2000.

Similarly, in case of Pala folk art, a team of six Pala performers will be given Rs 6800 per programme, a steep hike from Rs 350.

Earlier, the Government was paying only Rs 350 per programme for Ghoda Nacha performance. With the announcement, a team of eight Ghoda Nacha performers will be provided Rs 9000 each.

For folk dance and music, the artistes were earlier paid only Rs 400, which has been now increased to Rs 9000 each for eight-member team.