Circus performers in Kerala to get medical insurance benefits

Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 9: For the first time in the history of 135-year-old Circus in the country, performers from Kerala have been brought under the ambit of medical insurance by the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi.

All medical and insurance benefits being availed by Theatre, Music, Dance and 'Kathaprasangam' (story telling performance) artistes will be applicable to Circus performers, from this year onwards, Akademi Chairman Soorya Krishnamoorthy said.

With this decision, the Circus artistes would be able to get upto Rs one lakh in case of hospitalisation and Rs 1,000 per week of the hospitalisation till discharge, he said.

The scheme was announced by state Finance Minister K M Mani at a function here today and two Circus artistes Priya and Sanjay received their token enrolment certificates for the scheme.

About 250-odd people working in the Circus field will be benefited, he said. Kerala is the first state to implement such a scheme which would a long way in helping the circus performers in the state, known as the cradle of Circus.

Those from other states and countries will not be covered under the scheme, he added. The Circus performers, including clowns, acrobats, musicians, hoopers, tight rope walkers and jugglers, have been covered under this scheme.

Circus artistes would also be entitled to awards instituted by the state government.

PTI