Chennai, Aug 21:
The Tamil Nadu government has increased the monthly honorarium for teachers working in colleges under the Department of Art and Culture from ₹20,000 to ₹25,000.
Minister Rajmohan made the announcement in the Assembly while responding to discussions on art, culture, archaeology and museums.
As part of a series of measures aimed at promoting traditional arts and preserving Tamil Nadu’s cultural heritage, the government announced the establishment of research centres for Karagattam, Kummi, Oyilattam, Kolattam, Therukoothu, Parai and Silambattam in Coimbatore and Thanjavur at a cost of ₹2 crore.
The annual financial assistance provided to folk artists for purchasing musical instruments, costumes and ornaments will also be doubled from ₹10,000 to ₹20,000.
The monthly assistance of ₹3,000 provided to economically weaker artists aged 58 and above will be extended to another 1,500 artists, the government said.
The government has also allocated ₹49 crore over five years under the Tamil Heritage Conservation Works scheme for the restoration and protection of 76 heritage monuments and archaeological sites.
Among the other announcements were plans for a modern archaeological research laboratory and the establishment of a Tamil Civilisation Museum in Madurai.
The measures were among 22 announcements made by the government in the Assembly concerning the art, culture, archaeology and museum sectors.