Parliament Question: Financial Assistance for Promotion of Art and Culture Scheme

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 ****