Parliament Question: Disparity in Honorarium of Folk and Tribal Artists

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-2480 ANSWERED ON 03.08.2026 DISPARITY IN HONORARIUM OF FOLK AND TRIBAL ARTISTS †2480. SHRI UJJWAL RAMAN SINGH: Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state: (a) whether the North Central Zone Cultural Centre (NCZCC), Prayagraj is forcing folk and Castral tribal artists, especially Biraha artists from Gangapar and Yamunapar regions, to give performances on extremely low and inconsistent honorarium; and (b) whether the North Central Zone Cultural Centre is organizing programmes under the guise of folk and tribal art competitions and paying less than the prescribed rates of honorarium to artists, which is contrary to the guidelines of the Ministry of Culture and if so, the reasons therefor? ANSWER MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT) (a) & (b) The Government of India has set up North Central Zone Cultural Centre (NCZCC), Prayagraj to protect, promote and preserve various forms of folk/ tribal culture of its member States. NCZCC organizes various cultural activities and programmes in its member States on regular basis for which they engage folk/ tribal artists including Biraha artists. Each participating artist is paid an honorarium at the rate of Rs. 3,000/- for the first day, Rs. 1,500/- for the second day and Rs. 900/- per day for the remaining days of the programme, as per the prescribed norms, to support their livelihood. In addition, each participating artist is provided TA/DA, local transportation, boarding and lodging facilities, etc. in accordance with the applicable norms. NCZCC has provided performance opportunities to Biraha artists through its cultural programmes. The details of Biraha troupes engaged by NCZCC during the last three years are as under: Sl. Name of Programme No. of Biraha Remuneration given to Biraha No. Troupes engaged Troupes i. Chalo Man Ganga 8 Troupes Rs. 1,000/- to Team Leader and Yamuna Teer (Magh (Total Artist - 56) Rs. 800/- to each troupe Mela-2024), Prayagraj member, as per earlier approved norms ii. Uttar Pradesh State 1 Troupe Fixed remuneration of Rs. Foundation Day, (Total Artist - 5) 20,000/- (inclusive of Rs. 6,000/- Prayagraj to Team Leader & Rs. 3,000/- to each troupe member, as per revised norms and local conveyance)iii. Maha Kumbh-2025, 1 Troupe Fixed remuneration of Rs. Prayagraj (Total Artist - 5) 20,000/- (inclusive of Rs. 6,000/- to Team Leader & Rs. 3,000/- to each troupe member, as per revised norms and local conveyance) *****