Bhubaneswar, Feb. 14 -- Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik increased the financial assistance amount from the existing Rs 1,200 to Rs 2,000 per month under Mukhyamantri Kalakar Sahayata Yojana of Odia Language, Literature and Culture department, the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said today.

However, artiste beneficiaries above 80 years of age will instead get Rs 2,500 per month.

With this announcement, around 80,000 artistes will be benefitted, the CMO informed.

The increased amount of financial assistance will be given between February 20 and 25 and with effect from the current month. The amount will be paid through direct benefit transfer (DBT) mode.

Worth mentioning, the CM earlier included 30,000 more artistes as beneficiaries in the M...