**Executive Summary:**
This document is the Indian Ministry of Culture's response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3667 regarding financial assistance for cultural development in Bihar from 2019-20 to 2023-24. It details funds released under various central sector schemes, clarifies that funds are not allocated state/district-wise, and outlines project details for tourism infrastructure development and cultural site preservation in Bihar. The response includes annexures with specific financial data and project details.
**Key Points / Main Content:**
* **Ministry of Culture's Mandate:** Preservation and conservation of cultural heritage, promotion of tangible and intangible art and culture.
* **Schemes and Activities:**
* Preservation of archaeological sites.
* Museums and artifacts.
* Public Libraries.
* Performing Arts.
* Buddhist and Tibetan studies.
* International Cultural Relations.
* Construction of cultural complexes.
* **Funding and Allocation:**
* All schemes are Central Sector Schemes (CSS).
* No state-wise or district-wise fund allocation.
* Funds released to beneficiaries in Bihar are detailed in Annexure I.
* **Tourism Infrastructure Development:**
* Ministry of Tourism supports development through schemes like Swadesh Darshan (SD), Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0), Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD), Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD), and Assistance to Central Agencies (ACA).
* Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) also provides financial aid.
* Development and promotion primarily managed by State Government/UT Administration/Central Agencies.
* **Monitoring and Utilization:**
* Funds monitored via Utilization Certificates (as per GFR 2017), audited statements, bill vouchers, photos/videos, and completion certificates.
* On-site physical inspections by ministry officials.
* **Project Details (Annexure II):**
* Details of sanctioned, released, authorised and utilized amounts under SD, SD2.0, CBDD, PRASHAD, ACA and SASCI schemes in Bihar, including cultural heritage, Buddhist, and pilgrimage sites.
* **Archaeological Survey of India (ASI):**
* 71 centrally protected monuments maintained by ASI, Patna Circle.
* Conservation, maintenance, and beautification done per Annual Conservation Programme (ACP).
**Impact Analysis:**
* **State Government of Bihar:**
* *Impact:* Receives financial assistance for cultural and tourism development projects.
* *Action Required:* Utilize funds effectively, submit required documentation (Utilization Certificates, etc.), and oversee project implementation.
* **Beneficiaries (Organizations, Artists, etc.):**
* *Impact:* Receive funding for cultural activities, preservation, and promotion.
* *Action Required:* Adhere to scheme guidelines, utilize funds appropriately, and provide necessary reports and documentation.
* **Ministry of Culture and Tourism:**
* *Impact:* Responsible for administering schemes, disbursing funds, and monitoring project progress.
* *Action Required:* Ensure proper implementation of schemes, monitor fund utilization, and conduct inspections.
* **Archaeological Survey of India (ASI):**
* *Impact:* Responsible for maintaining and preserving centrally protected monuments in Bihar.
* *Action Required:* Implement the Annual Conservation Programme (ACP) and ensure the proper maintenance and preservation of heritage sites.
* **Central Agencies:**
* *Impact:* Implementing tourism related projects.
* *Action Required:* Execute projects effectively and as per guidelines.
Key Entities Referenced
Bihar: A state in India, the primary focus of the financial assistance discussed in the document.
Ministry of Culture: The Indian government ministry responsible for the preservation and development of culture, and the source of financial assistance mentioned in the document.
Ministry of Tourism: An Indian government ministry that complements the efforts of tourism infrastructure development by extending financial assistance to the State Governments/UT Administrations/Central Agencies.
Swadesh DarshanSD: A central sector scheme of the Ministry of Tourism for tourism infrastructure development.
Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive PRASHAD: A central sector scheme of the Ministry of Tourism for tourism infrastructure development.
Archaeological Survey of India, Patna Circle: A regional branch of the Archaeological Survey of India responsible for the maintenance and preservation of monuments and sites in the Patna region.
Bodh Gaya: A town in Bihar, significant for being the place where Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment, and a key site for Buddhist tourism and development projects.
Saran: A district in Bihar, where the Sonepur Mela Ground is located. Development of Tourist Facilities is planned at this location
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CULTURE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3667
ANSWERED ON 11.08.2025
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR DEVELOPMENT OF CULTURE IN BIHAR
†3667. SHRI ASHOK KUMAR YADAV:
Will the MINISTER OF CULTURE be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has provided financial assistance to the State of Bihar under various
schemes and projects for the development of culture and tourism sector during the last years;
(b) if so the amount allotted to the various districts of Bihar from the year 2019-20 to 2023-24, district
and scheme-wise;
(c) whether the said amount has been fully utilized on the concerned projects and if not, the districts in
which the works is incomplete or expenditure has been less; and
(d) the present status of development of major cultural sites, heritage sites, Buddhist circuit,
Ramayana circuit and other pilgrimage sites or tourist centers sponsored by the Government in
Bihar?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM
(SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a)&(b) It has been continuous endeavor of Ministry of Culture to achieve its mandate i.e preservation
and conservation of cultural heritage and promotion of tangible and intangible art and culture
through its attached, subordinate and autonomous organizations. Its activities and programmes are
accomplished under several broad cultural heads viz. Preservation and conservation of
Archaeological sites, Museums and its artefacts, Public Libraries, Promotion and dissemination of
Performing Arts, Buddhist and Tibetan studies, International Cultural Relation and construction of
cultural complexes etc. across the country including the State of Bihar. However, as all the
Schemes administered by Ministry of Culture are Central Sector Scheme, no funds are allocated
state-wise /district wise. The details of funds released to beneficiaries under various schemes in the
state of Bihar from the year 2019-20 to 2023-24, is given at Annexure-I.
Further, Ministry of Tourism through its central sector schemes such as ‘Swadesh Darshan(SD)’,
Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0), ‘Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD)’ – a sub-
scheme of Swadesh Darshan and ‘Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation
Drive (PRASHAD)’ and ‘Assistance to Central Agencies (ACA) for Tourism Infrastructure
Development’ is complementing the efforts of tourism infrastructure development by extending
financial assistance to the State Governments/UT Administrations/Central Agencies. In addition,Government of India under its initiative for ‘Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment
(SASCI)’ has provided financial assistance to the States for development of tourism projects across
the country including the State of Bihar. However, development and promotion of tourist
destinations and tourism products is primarily undertaken by the respective State Government/
Union Territory (UT) Administration//Central Agencies.
(c) As stated above, no state-wise/ district-wise allocation of funds is done under Central Sector
Schemes (CSS) administered by Ministry of Culture. However, the funds released under these
schemes are monitored on the basis of submission of Utilization Certificates as per General
Financial Rule (GFR) Rule -2017, audited statement of accounts duly certified by a Chartered
Accountant, Bill vouchers and other evidentiary proofs such as photos/videos, completion
certificates, etc. This apart, there is also provisions of on-site physical inspections by the officials of
the Ministry to monitor the progress and proper utilization of funds.
(d) Details of the projects sanctioned, amount released /authorised for utilisation and utilised under SD,
SD2.0, CBDD, PRASHAD, ACA and SASCI schemes in Bihar including cultural & heritage sites,
Buddhist circuit, Spiritual circuit and other pilgrimage sites etc. is given at Annexure-II.
Further, 71 centrally protected monuments and sites under the jurisdiction of the Archaeological
Survey of India, Patna Circle, are maintained in a commendable state of preservation, befitting their
heritage significance. The efforts to further enhance their conservation, maintenance, and
beautification is done in accordance with the approved Annual Conservation Programme (ACP) and
the allocation of funds.
****Annexure – I
Annexure referred to in reply of part (b) of the Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No.3667 answered
on 11.08.2025
Sl. Name of Financial Year
No. Scheme 2019-2020 2020-2021 2021-2022 2022-2023 2023-2024
No. of Amoun No. of Amoun No. of Amoun No. of Amoun No. of Amount
Benef t Benef t Benef t Benef t Benef (Rs.)
iciarie (Rs.) iciarie (Rs.) iciarie (Rs.) iciarie (Rs.) iciarie
s s s s s
1. Financial 23 151.74 33 181.60 30 190.80 64 363.82 158 697.37
Assistance for
Promotion of
Guru Shishya
Parampara
(Repertory
Grant)
2. Cultural 43 52.18 51 42.94 67 95.26 123 203.20 126 161.00
Function and
Production
Grant
3. Financial 1 4.50 1 3.00 2 7.50 2 8.50 2 8.50
Assistance for
the
Development
of Buddhist/
Tibetan Culture
& Art
4. Financial - - - - - - 1 0.60 1 6.00
Assistance for
Building Grants
including
Studio
Theatres
5. Scheme For 39 31.20 29 27.60 23 32.40 31 48.00 47 44.40
The Award Of
Fellowship To
Outstanding
Persons in The
Field Of
Culture
6. Scheme for 36 10.80 45 13.50 43 12.90 16 4.80 63 18.90
Scholarships to
Young Artistes
in Different
Cultural Fields
7. Financial - - - - - - - - 14 15.47
Assistance for
Veteran Artists
***Annexure-II
Annexure referred to in reply of part (d) of the Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No.3667 answered
on 11.08.2025
Details of Projects sanctioned in the state of Bihar under SD, SD2.0, CBDD, PRASHAD, ACA and
SASCI schemes in Bihar including cultural & heritage sites, Buddhist circuit, Spiritual circuit and other
pilgrimage sites:-
Swadesh Darshan(SD)
S. Circuit / Name of the Project Amount Amount Amount
No. Sanction Sanctioned Released Utilised
Year (₹ in Crore) /Authorised (₹ in Crore)
(₹ in Crore)
1. Tirthankar Development of Vaishali- 33.96 30.04 29.36
Circuit Arrah- Masad- Patna- Rajgir-
Pawapuri- Champapuri
2016-17
2. Spiritual Development of Kanwaria 44.76 42.52 42.17
Circuit Route: Sultanganj –
2016-17 Dharmshala- Deoghar
3. Buddhist Development of Buddhist 95.18 95.18 95.18
Circuit circuit- Construction of
2016-17 Convention Centre at Bodhgaya
4. Rural Development of Bhitiharwa- 44.27 40.31 40.31
Circuit Chandrahia- Turkaulia
2017-18
5. Spiritual Development of Mandar Hill & 44.55 42.32 42.32
Circuit Ang Pradesh
2017-18
6. Wayside Development of Wayside 17.50 16.63 15.83
Amenities Amenities in Uttar Pradesh and
Bihar at Varanasi-Gaya;
2018-19 Kushinagar-Gaya- Kushinagar
in collaboration with MoRTH
Swadesh Darshan (SD)2.0
S Year of Destination Name of the Experience Sanctioned Amount
No. Sanction Cost Authorised
(in ₹ Crore) (in ₹ Crore)
1 2024-25 Bodh Gaya Development of the Buddhist Meditation & 165.44 16.54
Experience Centre, Bodh GayaChallenge Based Destination Development (CBDD)
S. Year of Name of the Project Sanctioned Amount Authorized
No. Sanction Cost for utilisation
(₹ Crore) (₹ Crore)
1 2024-25 Development of Tourist Facilities at 24.29 2.43
Sonepur Mela Ground, Saran
Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)
Sanction
S. Sanction Amount Released Amount Utilized
Project Name Amount
No. Year (in ₹ Crores) (in ₹ Crores)
(in ₹ Crores)
1 Development at Patna Sahib 2015-16 29.62 29.62 29.62
2 Development of basic facilities at 2014-15 3.63 3.63 3.63
Vishnupad temple, Gaya, Bihar
3 Development of Ambika Bhawani 2024-25 13.29 0 0
Temple, Saran
Assistance to Central Agencies (ACA)
Amount Amount
S.
Name of Project Agency Sanction Date sanctioned Released
No.
(in ₹ Crore) (in ₹ Crore)
1 3D Mapping with Aqua BECIL 10-06-2024 599.96 59.99
Screen Projection and Sound
Show at Buxar, Bihar and
Dynamic Lighting & Motif
at Ram Rekha Ghat, Bihar
Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI)
S. Destination Name of the Experience Sanctioned Cost Fund release Status
No. (in ₹ Crore) (in ₹ Crore)
1 Karamchat Karamchat Eco-Tourism and 49.51 97.10
Adventure Hub
2 Saharsa Development of Matsyagandha 97.61
Lake
***