Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Culture addresses Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1158 on 28.07.2025 regarding the Financial Assistance for Promotion of Art and Culture Scheme. The scheme supports cultural organizations nationwide through eight sub-components. The Ministry monitors fund utilization through utilization certificates, audits, and physical inspections. A Bundeli Bagheli Utsav will be organized in Sidhi, M.P. in November 2025.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Scheme Overview:**
* The Ministry of Culture implements the Financial Assistance for Promotion of Art and Culture scheme, providing financial assistance to eligible cultural organizations across the country.
* The scheme has eight sub-components.
* **Sub-Components of the Scheme:**
* *Financial Assistance to Cultural Organizations with National Presence:* Supports organizations with a national presence involved in the promotion of art and culture with grants potentially reaching Rs. 5 crore in exceptional cases, organizations must have spent 1 crore or more during 3 of the last 5 years on cultural activities.
* *Cultural Function Production Grant (CFPG):* Provides financial support to NGOs, Societies, Trusts, and Universities for Seminars, Conferences, Research, Workshops, Festivals, Exhibitions, Symposia, Production of Dance, Drama/Theatre, Music, etc., up to Rs. 20.00 lakhs in exceptional cases. The maximum grants provided under CFPG is Rs.5 Lakh.
* *Financial Assistance for the Preservation Development of Cultural Heritage of the Himalayas:* Promotes and preserves the cultural heritage of the Himalayas through research, training, and dissemination, up to Rs. 30.00 lakhs in exceptional cases. The quantum of funding is Rs. 10.00 lakhs per year.
* *Financial Assistance for the Preservation Development of Buddhist/Tibetan Organization:* Supports voluntary Buddhist/Tibetan organizations engaged in the propagation and scientific development of Buddhist/Tibetan Cultural and tradition and research in related fields, up to Rs. 1.00 crore in exceptional cases. The quantum of funding under scheme component is Rs. 30.00 lakhs per year for an organization.
* *Financial Assistance for Building Grants including Studio Theatres:* Supports the creation of cultural infrastructure such as studio theaters, auditoriums, rehearsal halls, classrooms, etc., up to Rs.50 Lakh in metro cities and up to Rs.25 Lakh in non metro cities.
* *Financial Assistance for Allied Cultural Activities:* Provides assistance for enhancing the audiovisual spectacle for allied cultural activities, up to Rs.1.00 crore for Audio and Rs.1.50 crore for Audio/Video.
* *Intangible Cultural Heritage:* Aims to safeguard the intangible cultural heritage and diverse cultural traditions of the country.
* *Domestic Festivals and Fairs:* Provides assistance for holding the Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsavs (RSMs) organized by the Ministry of Culture through Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs).
* **Fund Utilization Monitoring:**
* Fund utilization is monitored through submission of Utilization Certificates certified by a Chartered Accountant, bill vouchers, and other evidentiary proofs.
* Onsite physical inspections by Ministry officials are conducted to monitor progress and proper utilization of funds.
* **Bundeli Bagheli Utsav:**
* The North Central Zonal Culture Centre, Prayagraj is organizing Bundeli Bagheli Utsav in Sidhi, M.P. in November 2025.
* **Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan:**
* Details of funds released under various sub schemes of Promotion of Art and Culture in the State of Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan are provided in the annexure.
* **Eligibility Criteria:**
* There are no proposed improvements to ease eligibility criteria.
Impact Analysis:
* **Cultural Organizations:**
* *Impact:* Eligible organizations can receive financial assistance for various art and culture-related activities and infrastructure development.
* *Action Required:* Submit proposals under the relevant sub-components of the scheme, ensure proper documentation for fund utilization, and comply with monitoring requirements.
* **Individual Artists:**
* *Impact:* Individual artists may benefit from the scheme indirectly through supported cultural organizations and festivals.
* *Action Required:* Engage with cultural organizations to participate in supported events and activities.
* **Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs):**
* *Impact:* ZCCs are responsible for organizing Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsavs (RSMs).
* *Action Required:* Plan and execute RSMs, engaging artists from across the country.
* **Ministry of Culture:**
* *Impact:* The Ministry is responsible for implementing, monitoring, and evaluating the scheme.
* *Action Required:* Process applications, disburse funds, conduct inspections, and ensure proper utilization of funds.
* **Residents of Sidhi, Madhya Pradesh:**
* *Impact:* Residents will benefit from the Bundeli Bagheli Utsav.
* *Action Required:* Attend and participate in the Bundeli Bagheli Utsav in November 2025.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Culture: The Indian government ministry responsible for the promotion of art and culture, implementing the 'Financial Assistance for Promotion of Art and Culture Scheme'.
Financial Assistance for Promotion of Art and Culture Scheme: A Central Sector Scheme implemented by the Ministry of Culture to provide financial assistance to eligible cultural organizations.
Chhattisgarh: A state in India where cultural organizations received assistance under the Financial Assistance for Promotion of Art and Culture Scheme.
Rajasthan: A state in India where cultural organizations received assistance under the Financial Assistance for Promotion of Art and Culture Scheme.
Himachal Pradesh: A state in India for which district-wise details of improvements under the scheme to ease the eligibility criteria to avail benefits fixed, particularly for small organizations and individual artists are provided.
Madhya Pradesh: A state in India, specifically Sidhi Lok Sabha Constituency, where the government has proposed to organize a local or national festival.
North Central Zonal Culture Centre, Prayagraj: An organization that is organizing Bundeli Bagheli Utsav in Sidhi, Madhya Pradesh.
Bundeli Bagheli Utsav: A cultural festival being organized in Sidhi, Madhya Pradesh, by the North Central Zonal Culture Centre, Prayagraj.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CULTURE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1158
ANSWERED ON 28.07.2025
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR PROMOTION OF ART AND CULTURE SCHEME
1158. SHRI MADHAVANENI RAGHUNANDAN RAO:
DR. RAJESH MISHRA:
SHRI P P CHAUDHARY:
SMT. MALA RAJYA LAXMI SHAH:
SHRI JAI PRAKASH:
SHRI RAVINDRA SHUKLA ALIAS RAVI KISHAN:
SHRI DINESHBHAI MAKWANA:
SHRI VIVEK THAKUR:
DR. HEMANG JOSHI:
SHRI SURESH KUMAR KASHYAP:
SHRI CHAVDA VINOD LAKHAMSHI:
SMT. KAMLESH JANGDE:
SHRI SHANKAR LALWANI:
Will the MINISTER OF CULTURE be pleased to state:
(a) the details of the number of cultural organizations that received assistance under the Financial
Assistance for Promotion of Art and Culture Scheme, particularly in Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan;
(b) whether the Government has proposed any improvements under the scheme to ease the eligibility
criteria to avail benefits fixed, particularly for small organizations and individual artists;
(c) if so, the details thereof particularly district-wise for Himachal Pradesh;
(d) the details of the mechanisms in place to ensure timely utilization certificates on ground
verification of fund usage;
(e) whether the Government has proposed to organize any local festival or any national festival in
sidhi Lok Sabha Constituency of Madhya Pradesh; and
(f) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reason therefor?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM
(SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a) Ministry of Culture implements a Central Sector Scheme by the name of ‘Financial Assistance for
Promotion of Art and Culture. This scheme has eight sub -components under which financial
assistance is provided directly to eligible cultural organizations working in the field on art and
culture across the country including the State of Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan. The brief of these
schemes alongwith the no. of organizations received assistance under the schemes is given at
Annexure-I.(b) No, Sir/Madam.
(c) Does not arise.
(d) The utilization of funds is monitored on the basis of submission of Utilization Certificates as per
General Financial Rule (GFR) Rule -2017, duly certified by a Chartered Accountant, Bill vouchers
and other evidentiary proofs such as photos/videos, completion certificates etc. Apart from this,
there is also provisions of on-site physical inspections by the officials of the Ministry to monitor the
progress and proper utilization of funds.
(e) Yes, Sir /Madam.
(f) The North Central Zonal Culture Centre, Prayagraj is organizing Bundeli Bagheli Utsav in Sidhi,
M.P. in the month of November, 2025.
****Annexure – I
Annexure referred to in reply of part (a) of the Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No.1158 answered on
28.07.2025
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR PROMOTION OF ART AND CULTURE: This scheme has
following sub-components:
i. Financial Assistance to Cultural organizations with National Presence
To promote and support cultural organisations with national presence involved in promotion of art and
culture throughout the country, this grant is given to such organisations that have a properly constituted
managing body, registered in India; having a pan-India character with national presence in its operation;
adequate working strength; and have spent 1 crore or more during 3 of the last 5 years on cultural
activities. The quantum of grant under this scheme is Rs. 1 crore which can be increased to Rs. 5 crore
in exceptional cases.
ii. Cultural Function & Production Grant (CFPG)
The objective of this scheme component is to provide financial support to NGOs/ Societies/ Trusts/
Universities etc. for Seminars, Conference, Research, Workshops, Festivals, Exhibitions, Symposia,
Production of Dance, Drama-Theatre, Music etc. The maximum grants provided under CFPG is Rs.5
Lakh for an organization which can be increased to Rs. 20.00 lakhs in exceptional cases.
iii. Financial Assistance for the Preservation & Development of Cultural Heritage of the
Himalayas
The objective of this scheme component is to promote and preserve the cultural heritage of the
Himalayas through research, training and dissemination through audio visual programmes. The financial
support is provided to the organizations in the States falling under the Himalayan Region i.e. Jammu &
Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. The quantum of funding is
Rs. 10.00 lakhs per year for an organization which can be increased to Rs. 30.00 lakhs in exceptional
cases.
iv. Financial Assistance for the Preservation & Development of Buddhist/Tibetan
Organization
Under this scheme component financial assistance is provided to the voluntary Buddhist/Tibetan
organizations including Monasteries engaged in the propagation and scientific development of
Buddhist/Tibetan Cultural and tradition and research in related fields. The quantum of funding under
scheme component is Rs. 30.00 lakhs per year for an organization which can be increased to 1.00 crore
in exceptional cases.v. 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.
vi. Financial Assistance for Allied Cultural Activities
The objective of this scheme component is to provide financial assistance to all eligible organizations
for creation of assets for enhancing the audio-visual spectacle for allied cultural activities to give
firsthand experience of live performances on regular basis and during festivals in open/closed
areas/spaces. Maximum assistance under the scheme component, including applicable duties & taxes
and also Operation & Maintenance (O&M) costing for five years, will be as under: - (i) Audio: Rs.1.00
crore; (ii) Audio+Video: Rs.1.50 crore.
vii. Intangible Cultural Heritage:
This scheme was launched by the Ministry of Culture in 2013 for safeguarding the intangible cultural
heritage and diverse cultural traditions of the country with the objective of reinvigorating and
revitalizing various institutions, groups, NGOs, etc. so that they may engage in activities/projects for
strengthening, protecting, preserving and promoting the rich intangible cultural heritage of India.
viii. Domestic Festivals and Fairs
The objective of this scheme is to provide assistance for holding the ‘Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsavs’
organized by Ministry of Culture. Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsavs (RSMs) are conducted through Zonal
Cultural Centres (ZCCs) where a large number of artists from all over the country are engaged to
showcase their talents. From November, 2015 onwards, fourteen (14) RSMs have been organized by
Ministry of Culture in the country. During last three years, Rs. 38.67 Cr. has been released under this
scheme.Details of funds released under various sub schemes of Promotion of Art and Culture in the State of
Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan
(Rs. in lakhs)
Sl. Name of the Scheme State
NO. Chhattisgarh Rajasthan
2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25
No. of Amt. No. Amt. No. Amt. No. of Amt. No. Amt. No. Amt.
cases of of cases of of
cases cases cases cases
1. Financial Assistance 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 37.50 1 26.25 2 27.50
to Cultural
Organizations with
National Presence
2. Cultural Function and 3 5.50 4 7.50 3 6.42 48 81.16 57 46.28 24 44.55
Production Grant
Scheme
3. Financial Assistance 1 7.50 0 0 0 0 1 7.50 0 0 0 0
for Building Grants
including Studio
Theatres
****