Health insurance for Tollywood artists, technicians

KOLKATA: Health insurance with a coverage of Rs 1.25 lakh each for artistes and technicians of film studios in Tollygunj was announced today by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

"We are announcing a health insurance scheme with coverage of up to Rs 1.25 lakh for performing artistes and workers in the film industry," she told reporters at the state secretariat.

Welcoming the move, film director Gautam Ghosh, who was present with the chief minister at the media briefing, said, "This is an extremely worthwhile move. I thank the CM for this. This was a long-standing demand of technicians, who find it very difficult to meet their medical expenses."

Banerjee also announced a pension of Rs 750 per month for folk artistes.