Parliament Question: Development of Cultural Infrastructure in Ghaziabad

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1217 ANSWERED ON 27.07.2026 DEVELOPMENT OF CULTURAL INFRASTRUCTURE IN GHAZIABAD 1217. SHRI ATUL GARG: Will the MINISTER OF CULTURE be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has provided systematic financial grants to establish and upgrade cultural infrastructure, including auditoriums and public libraries, in Ghaziabad Lok Sabha Constituency; (b) if so, the details of the total central funds disbursed to support local cultural organizations and regional literary research within the said Constituency during 2025-26; (c) whether the Government is funding the establishment of a dedicated regional museum in Ghaziabad to safely house local historical artifacts and traditional handicrafts; (d) the details of the support provided to local youth clubs working to preserve traditional art forms and classical music in the National Capital Region; and (e) the details of the future initiatives planned to integrate local cultural education into the regional school curriculum to foster deep historical awareness among the youth of Ghaziabad? ANSWER MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT) (a) & (b) : The Ministry of Culture administers the following two schemes under which financial support is provided to NGO, Trust, Societies, Govt. Sponsored bodies, State / UT Govt. University, Central/State Govt. agencies/bodies, Municipal Corporations, reputed not-for-profit organizations etc. for creation of Cultural Spaces such as Auditorium with facilities and infrastructure for stage performances (dance, drama and music), exhibitions, seminars, literary activities, green rooms, etc. The Scheme component also provides support for restoration, renovation, extension, alteration, up-gradation, modernization of existing cultural facilities (Rabindra Bhawans, Rangshalas) etc.: - (i) Financial Assistance for Construction of Tagore Cultural Complexes (TCC); & (ii) Financial Assistance for Building Grants including Studio Theatres. The Scheme brief of above schemes is given at Annexure-I.Further, Library being a state subject, establishment and functioning of public libraries comes under the purview of the respective State Government/UT Authorities. However, Raja Rammohun Roy Library Foundation (RRRLF), Kolkata, has been providing financial assistance for the development of public libraries across the country including Uttar Pradesh under its various approved Matching and Non-matching schemes which encompasses the purpose to enrich the knowledge resources of public library, procurement of library furniture, construction of library building, for establishment of children corner, knowledge corner and for creation of facilities for Divyangjan Readers and modernization of public library services by procuring computers, printers etc. with active cooperation of the respective State / UT Library Authority. Financial assistance under various schemes of RRRLF is released based on the eligible recommended application submitted by the State/UTs public library authority duly approved by the State Level Planning Committee (SLPC). Financial assistance released through RRRLF schemes for development of public libraries in Uttar Pradesh including Ghaziabad during 2025- 26 based on the eligible and recommended application submitted by the Uttar Pradesh State library authority is provided at Annexure-II. Under the National Mission on Libraries (NML) Scheme, financial assistance is provided under the "Setting up of NML Model Libraries" component to one State Central Library and one District Library in each State/UT. The details of financial assistance provided under the NML Scheme in the State of Uttar Pradesh are also given at Annexure-III. (c): No. (d) : The Ministry of Culture implements a Central Sector Scheme ‘Kala Sanskriti Vikas Yojana (KSVY) under which financial assistance is provided through various scheme components for the promotion, preservation and dissemination of India's traditional art forms, classical music and cultural heritage. Under these schemes, eligible cultural organizations, institutions and registered societies, including those engaged in training and promotion of traditional arts and classical music, may avail financial assistance subject to fulfilment of the prescribed guidelines and eligibility criteria. In the National Capital Region (NCR), youth clubs are not provided financial assistance under any separate scheme exclusively meant for them. However, eligible organizations working with youth for the preservation and promotion of traditional art forms, classical music and other cultural activities may receive support under the Ministry's existing scheme-based framework, such as the Scheme for Financial Assistance for Promotion of Art and Culture and other relevant schemes, based on merit, availability of funds and adherence to the scheme guidelines. (e): There is no such proposal under consideration of the Ministry.Annexure-I Annexure referred to in reply of part (a) &(b) of the Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No.1217 answered on 27.07.2026 1. Financial Assistance for Construction of Tagore Cultural Complexes (TCC) The aim of the scheme component is to provide financial support to NGO, Trust, Societies, Govt. Sponsored bodies, State / UT Govt. University, Central/State Govt. agencies/bodies, Municipal Corporations, reputed not-for-profit organizations etc. for creation of new Large Cultural Spaces such as Auditorium with facilities and infrastructure for stage performances (dance, drama and music), exhibitions, seminars, literary activities, green rooms, etc. The Scheme component also provides support for restoration, renovation, extension, alteration, up-gradation, modernization of existing cultural facilities (Rabindra Bhawans, Rangshalas) etc. Under this scheme component, the financial assistance for any project will normally be up to a maximum of Rs. 15.00 crore. Central financial assistance would be 90% of the total approved project cost and remaining 10% of the total approved project cost will be borne by the recipient State Govt./NGO or concerned organization for NER Projects and except NER, there is 60:40 ratio for central assistant and state share (matching share). 2. Financial Assistance for Building Grants including Studio Theatres. The objective of this scheme component is to provide financial support to NGO, Trust, Societies, Govt. Sponsored bodies, University, College etc. for creation of Cultural infrastructure (i.e. studio theatre, auditorium, rehearsal hall, classroom etc.) and provision of facilities like electrical, air conditioning, acoustics, light and sound systems etc. Under this scheme component, the maximum amount of grant is up to Rs.50 Lakh in metro cities and up to Rs.25 Lakh in non- metro cities.Annexure-II Annexure referred to in reply of part (a) &(b) of the Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No.1217 answered on 27.07.2026 Sl. Organization Scheme Released No. of No. Amount (Rs.) Beneficiary Org./Lib. 1. Officer on Special Duty Storage of Books- 52,62,800 59 (Libraries) Matching 2. Officer on Special Duty Storage of Books- 91,25,865 67 (Libraries) Matching 3. Officer on Special Duty Book Assistance- 1,55,76,717 76 (Libraries) Matching 4. OSD(Library), Education Modernization of 87,47,206 58 Department, Govt. of U.P., Library Services- Lucknow Matching 5. Officer on Special Duty Operational Charges 2,33,945 356 (Libraries) Books 6 Government District Library, Matching-Seminar 4,00,000 1 Varanasi Annexure-III Annexure referred to in reply of part (a) &(b) of the Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No.1217 answered on 27.07.2026 Library Name Amt. Amt. District Name Sanctioned Released (in (in Lakhs) lakhs) State Central Library, Allahabad 206.00 203.75 Prayagraj Government District Library, 87.00 85.93 Etawah Etawah *****