537 cine artistes of yesteryears on pension list

New Delhi, Apr 13 (UNI) As many as 537 cine artistes of yesteryears, who have fallen on bad times, are receiving financial help from the Cine Artistes Welfare Fund of India (CAWFI), according to the Information and Broadcasting Ministry.

The CAWFI is the biggest ever trust created by the National Film Development Corporation for the Indian film industry. Its corpus, which has grown to Rs 4.48 crore, accrues from the profits of the film 'Gandhi'.

Since its inception in 1992, the Trust has benefitted 969 artistes so far, says the Ministry in its annual report.

During the last one year, Rs 31.70 lakh were distributed to needy artistes as pension, and the amount to be distributed during this year was expected to be Rs 47 lakh, the Ministry said.

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