Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday announced a monthly pension of Rs 1,200 for 50,000 artistes in the state.Currently, 4,000 artistes are getting Rs 1,000 pension under Mukhya Mantri Kalakara Sahayata Yojana. The state government has now enhanced the monthly pension to Rs 1,200.The state government has also relaxed the age limit of both the male and female artistes.The age limit of male artistes has been relaxed from 60 to 50 years, while the age limit of female artistes has been relaxed from 50 to 40 years."Odisha is the state of art and artistes. Our artistes by dint of their talent have earned laurels for Odisha. We've been working for the development of the artistes and their arts since 2000," Patnaik said.The Chief Minister also said it has been decided to decentralise the allowance granting exercise for the larger interest of the artistes and henceforth, the district administration has been entrusted with the duty.