West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Friday announced the formation of a data bank of Jatra (Bengal's folk theatre) artists to conserve and promote the form.
Banerjee inaugurated the 19th edition of the three-day Jatra festival at Kachchari Maidan in Barasat, North 24-Parganas district.
"We will institute mediclaim for Jatra artists and will also increase the pension for them by Rs.1,000. We will form a data bank which consists of names of all Jatra artists," she said at the opening ceremony.
The Trinamool Congress chief said her government will promote the art form after the Jatra season ends.
"The Jatra season lasts for six months every year. For rest of the year, we will promote Jatra on behalf of the government," she said.