Singer Pushpa Pagdhare, who sang the famous song 'Itni Shakti Hame Dena Daata', told news agency ANI that the government should raise the amount of monthly honorarium given to artists as the pension she receives is insufficient. Government should look after the artists who have earned respect for the country," the singer said. Pagdhare urged chief minister Uddhav Thackeray and PM Modi to help out artists by raising the monthly pension. Chief minister Uddhav Thackeray okayed this package after meeting with the state’s culture minister Amit Deshmukh. The chief minister's Office (CMO) said 56,000 folk artists will receive a grant of ₹5,000 each as financial assistance.

Source: Hindustan Times August 11, 2021 16:18 UTC