Parliament Question: Cultural Development in Lakhimpur Kheri

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5976 ANSWERED ON 30.03.2026 CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT IN LAKHIMPUR KHERI †5976. SHRI UTKARSH VERMA MADHUR:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has any proposal under consideration to declare the historical and mythological sites of Lakhimpur Kheri district, such as the Gola Gokarannath Temple and Devkali Temple, as monuments of national importance or undertake restoration thereof;

(b) whether the Government is considering the establishment of a Regional Cultural Centre or a Tribal Museum in the said district to preserve the unique art, language and folk traditions of the Tharu Tribe of Kheri;

(c) whether the Government has any plan to integrate the prominent religious and cultural sites of Kheri into a 'Spiritual Circuit' under the Pilgrimage Rejuvenation And Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) Scheme to provide global recognition to the local culture and heritage; and

(d) the details of financial assistance provided to the local artists and cultural organizations of Kheri district under the 'Kala Sanskriti Vikas Yojana' during the last three years? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a) At present, no such proposal is under consideration with Archaeological Survey of India

(ASI) to declare the historical and mythological sites of Lakhimpur Kheri such as the Gola Gokarannath Temple and Devkali Temple as monuments of national importance.

(b) At present, no such proposal is under consideration.

(c) Ministry of Tourism under its scheme called the “National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)” provides Financial Assistance to the State Governments and Union Territories Administration for development of Tourism Infrastructure at the Pre-Identified Pilgrimage destinations/ Heritage Cities. The process of identification adheres to the scheme's guidelines and involves consultation with the relevant State/UT, encompassing several factors. These factors include the prioritization of previously sanctioned projects for the concerned State/UTs.

(d) Kala Sanskriti Vikas Yojna (KSVY) consists various sub-components/schemes. Under the above schemes, financial assistance/ monthly assistance (For Veteran Artists) is provided to eligible cultural organizations/ individuals working in various art forms across the country including the state of Uttar Pradesh. There is no provision of state-wise/area-wise or specific art form related allocation of funds. The details of amount disbursed to the state of Uttar Pradesh under KSVY scheme during last three years is given at Annexure.ANNEXURE ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (d) OF THE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5976 FOR 30.03.2026.

DETAILS OF NUMBER OF BENEFICIARIES AND AMOUNT DISBURSED IN THE STATE OF UTTAR PRADESH (Amount Rs. in lakh) Sl. Name of the Scheme 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 No No. of Amount No. of Amoun No. of Amount . Benefici Benefi t Benefi aries ciaries ciaries

1. Financial Assistance for 57 293.9 107 438.32 70 502.02 Promotion of Guru Shishya Parampara (Repertory Grant)

2. Financial Assistance to 2 93.75 1 22.50 1 7.50 Cultural Organizations with National Presence

3. Cultural Function and 278 343.3 268 244.07 218 395.66 Production Grant

4. Financial Assistance for 27 195.28 11 44.15 34 236.27 Development of Buddhist/ Tibetan Culture and Art

5. Financial assistance for 0 0 1 369.57 0 0 construction of tagore cultural complexes (tcc)

6. Scheme For the Award of 120 154.80 158 146.40 116 157.20 Fellowship to Outstanding Persons in The Field of Culture

7. Scheme for Scholarships 35 10.50 134 40.20 97 29.70 to Young Artistes in Different Cultural Fields

8. Financial Assistance for 58 15.46 82 67.24 109 80.46 Veteran Artists

9. Financial Assistance for - - - - 2 120 Allied Cultural Activities *****