Renowned Padma Shri awardee Sakini Ramchandraiah, aged 69, has urged the Congress government to allocate pensions for artists in the state. Ramchandraiah, a folk singer and Dhol player from Kottagudem village in Bhadri-Kothagudem, expressed his concerns after a recent felicitation program for Padma Vibhushan award winners in Hyderabad.
Ramchandraiah revealed that despite receiving a one-crore-rupee award from the government, he has not yet received the promised pension. He also highlighted the non-functioning of the program to train students in Tribal Traditional Dances due to the government’s failure to release funds, despite being appointed as Chief Master for the program by the Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA) Bhadrachalam.
In March 2022, the commissioner of Hyderabad had issued an order for a 10-month training program with an honorarium of Rs 20,000 per month. Ramchandraiah selected around 80 students for the program, but the lack of government cooperation and delayed fund release have hindered its progress.
The veteran artist urgently appealed to the state government to resume the orders and allow the operation of the dance school in ITDA Bhadrachalam to preserve tribal arts. He also requested a health card for his age-related health issues and emphasized the need for monthly pensions to support artists who have dedicated their lives to their art forms. Ramchandraiah called for immediate action to ensure their financial well-being.
