**Executive Summary**
This document summarizes the Minister of Culture's response to questions regarding the establishment and expansion of Tribal Cultural Centres (TCCs) in Maharashtra, answered on December 1, 2025. The response addresses the operational status, budget, implementation, and preservation efforts of TCCs. It clarifies that there are no current plans for expansion, but that the South Central Zone Cultural Centre (SCZCC) in Nagpur already oversees the preservation and promotion of Tribal Art and Culture in the State.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs):**
* The Government of India has established seven ZCCs, one of which is in Nagpur, Maharashtra.
* The ZCCs aim to protect, promote, and preserve various forms of folk art & culture including tribal culture.
* ZCCs organize cultural activities and programs that engage folk/ tribal artists from all over India.
* All ZCCs are fully functional with infrastructure to host artists and craft displays.
* **Activities for Preservation:**
* Recording & documenting of endangered tribal languages & dialects.
* Printing books, reports, and stories about tribal folklore and oral history.
* Conducting training and demonstration workshops on tribal crafts, folk theatre, music and dance.
* Organising annual Tribal Festivals, Craft Melas and Art Camps.
* Engaging artists to perform in other parts of India to share unique tribal culture.
* Supporting tribal researchers, writers & young artists via fellowships, grants, and performance opportunities.
* **Expansion of TCCs:**
* No current proposal exists for expanding the network of TCCs in Maharashtra.
* The South Central Zone Cultural Centre (SCZCC) in Nagpur already handles the preservation and promotion of Tribal Art and Culture in the State.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Tribal Artists and Communities in Maharashtra**
* **Impact:** They are supported in showcasing their talent, preserving their languages and traditions, and receiving opportunities through the SCZCC in Nagpur.
* **Action Required:** Engage with the SCZCC to participate in preservation activities, workshops, festivals, and to access available support such as fellowships and grants.
**Stakeholder: Ministry of Culture**
* **Impact:** Responsible for overseeing the operations of the SCZCC and ensuring the continued preservation and promotion of tribal arts and culture in Maharashtra.
* **Action Required:** Maintain support for the SCZCC in Nagpur and continue to monitor its effectiveness in preserving and promoting tribal arts and culture within the state.
Key Entities Referenced
Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs): Seven centers set up by the Government of India to protect, promote & preserve various forms of folk art & culture including tribal culture.
Maharashtra: The state where the establishment and expansion of Tribal Cultural Centres (TCCs) is being discussed.
Ministry of Culture: The government ministry responsible for the subject matter of the question.
South Central Zone Cultural Centre (SCZCC): A Zonal Cultural Centre with its Centre at Nagpur, Maharashtra that is responsible for the preservation and promotion of Tribal Art and Culture of the State
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CULTURE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-104
ANSWERED ON 01.12.2025
ESTABLISHMENT AND EXPANSION OF TRIBAL CULTURAL CENTRES IN
MAHARASHTRA
104. SHRI VISHALDADA PRAKASHBAPU PATIL:
MS. PRANITI SUSHILKUMAR SHINDE:
Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:
(a) the details of the number of Tribal Cultural Centres (TCCs) currently operational and
under construction in Maharashtra, district-wise, including Nandurbar, Solapur and
Sangli and the timeline for completion of ongoing centres;
(b) the details of the total budget allocated and utilized for TCCs in Maharashtra in the
current and previous financial years, with a breakup of funds for infrastructure, cultural
programming and community engagement;
(c) the details of the list of Public sector undertakings, autonomous bodies and Non-
Governmental Organizations involved in implementation and supervision of TCC
projects along with allocated budgets;
(d) the details of the measures taken to preserve tribal languages, artefacts and performing
arts through these centres and the support provided for documentation and digital
archiving; and
(e) whether the Government plans to expand the network of TCCs in Maharashtra and if so,
the details of proposed new locations?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM
(SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a) to (d) The Government of India has set up seven Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs) with
headquarters at Patiala (Punjab), Nagpur (Maharashtra), Udaipur (Rajasthan), Prayagraj
(Uttar Pradesh), Kolkata (West Bengal), Dimapur (Nagaland) and Thanjavur (Tamil Nadu) to
protect, promote & preserve various forms of folk art & culture including tribal culture.
These ZCCs organize various cultural activities and programmes on regular basis in the
country for which they engage folk/ tribal artists from all over India who showcase their
talent during these programmes.
All the ZCCs are fully functional with dedicated infrastructure viz. auditorium,
exhibition galleries, libraries and Shilpgram/ Kalagram facilities to host artists and craft
displays.
All the ZCCs are actively undertaking the following activities to keep tribal
languages, stories, crafts and performing arts alive:-
Recording & documenting of endangered tribal languages & dialects with the help
of locals and language experts;
Printing books, reports and stories about tribal folklore and oral history, Conducting training and demonstration workshops on tribal crafts, folk theatre,
music and dance.
Organising annual Tribal Festivals, Craft Melas and Art Camps.
To share the unique tribal culture, artists are engaged to perform in other parts of
India.
Supporting tribal researchers, writers & young artists by providing them
fellowships, grants and performance opportunities.
(e) No such proposal is under the consideration of Government of India. It may be noted
that South Central Zone Cultural Centre (SCZCC) with its Centre at Nagpur, Maharashtra
already looks after the preservation and promotion of Tribal Art and Culture of the State.
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