Parliament Question: Financial Assistance Schemes for Traditional Artists

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. +1404 ANSWERED ON 09.02.2026 FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR TRADITIONAL ARTISTS +1404. Shri Balya Mama Suresh Gopinath Mhatre:

Will the MINISTER OF CULTURE be pleased to state

(a) whether the Government has implemented financial assistance schemes for traditional artists in rural areas across the country, if so, the district-wise details thereof for the State of Maharashtra;

(b) the details of financial assistance schemes made available to promote startups and innovation related to Art and Culture by the Government;

(c) whether the Government is providing any financial assistance to promote traditional art and culture on a global level through digital media and online platforms; and

(d) if so, the details thereof; if not, the reasons thereof.

ANSWER MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a): The Ministry of Culture administers various Central Sector schemes for providing financial assistance to organizations / artists engaged in various forms of performing arts including traditional arts in rural areas across the country including the in the State of Maharashtra. The brief of these schemes is given at Annexure - I. The district-wise data of quantum of financial assistance provided to the organizations/artists under various schemes is not maintained. However, the details of number of organizations / artists supported and financial assistance provided in the state of Maharashtra during the last three financial years is given at Annexure – II.

(b) As such no financial scheme is administered at present by Ministry of Culture to promote startup and innovation related to art and culture.

(c) & (d): To promote India’s rich cultural heritage on global level, Ministry of Culture implements a scheme titled ‘Global Engagement Scheme’ to enhance India’s image in the global arena in a concertedmanner. Currently, 627 Artists/Groups are empanelled with the Ministry. Further, Grant-in Aid to Indo- Friendship Cultural Societies is released through Indian Missions abroad to promote traditional art and culture on a global levelAnnexure – I Annexure referred to in reply of part (a) of the Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No.+1404 answered on 09.02.2026

1. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR PROMOTION OF GURU-SHISHYA PARAMPARA (REPERTORY GRANT) The objective of this scheme component is to provide financial support for all genres of performing arts activities like dramatic groups, theatre groups, music ensembles, children theatre etc.

and imparting training of artists by their respective Guru on regular basis in line with Guru–Shishya Parampara. As per the scheme, support is provided to 1 Guru and maximum 18 Shishyas in the field of theatre, music & dance etc. The Amount of Assistance for Guru is Rs.15000/- per month and for Shishya, the same is Rs.2000-10000/-per month depending upon the age of artist.

2. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR PROMOTION OF ART AND CULTURE: This scheme has following sub-components : i. Financial Assistance to Cultural organizations with National Presence The objective of this scheme component is to promote and support cultural organizations with national presence involved in promotion of art and culture throughout the country. This grant is given to such organizations 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.1.00 crore which can be increased to Rs.5.00 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 quantum of grant under this scheme 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 HimalayasThe 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 grant is Rs.10.00 lakh per year for an organization which can be increased to Rs. 30.00 lakh 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. 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.

3. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR CONSTRUCTION OF TAGORE CULTURAL COMPLEXES (TCC) The aim of the scheme component is to provide financial support to NGO, Trust, Societies, Govt. Sponsored bodies, State / UT Govt. University, Central/State Govt. agencies/bodies, MunicipalCorporations, reputed not-for-profit organizations etc. for creation of new Large Cultural Spaces such as Auditorium with facilities and infrastructure for stage performances (dance, drama and music), exhibitions, seminars, literary activities, green rooms, etc. The Scheme component also provides support for restoration, renovation, extension, alteration, up-gradation, modernization of existing cultural facilities (Rabindra Bhawans, Rangshalas) etc. Under this scheme component, the financial assistance for any project will normally be up to a maximum of Rs. 15.00 crore. Central financial assistance would be 90% of the total approved project cost and remaining 10% of the total approved project cost will be borne by the recipient State Govt./NGO or concerned organization for NER Projects and except NER, there is 60:40 ratio for central assistant and state share (matching share).

4. SCHEME OF SCHOLARSHIP AND FELLOWSHIP FOR PROMOTION OF ART AND

CULTURE: The scheme consists of following three components: i. Scheme for the Award of Fellowship to Outstanding Persons in the field of Culture Upto 400 fellowships (200 Junior and 200 Senior) are awarded in a batch year to outstanding persons in the age group of 25 to 40 years (Jr.) and above 40 years (Sr.) in different cultural fields @ of Rs. 10,000/- p.m. and 20,000/-p.m. for the period of 2 years for cultural research. The Fellowship is released in four equal six monthly installments.

ii. Scheme for Scholarships to Young Artistes in Different Cultural Fields Upto 400 Scholarships are awarded in a batch year. Under this scheme financial assistance is given to young artistes of outstanding promise in the age group of 18-25 years for advanced training within India in the field of Indian Classical Music, Indian Classical Dance, Theatre, Mime, Visual art, Folk, Traditional and Indigenous Arts and Light Classical Music etc. @ Rs. 5,000/- p.m. for 2 years.

The Scholarship is released in four equal six-monthly installments. iii. Tagore National Fellowship for Cultural Research The purpose of the Scheme Component is to invigorate and revitalize the various institutions under the Ministry of Culture (MoC) and other identified cultural institutions in the country, by encouraging scholars/ academicians to affiliate themselves with these institutions to work on projects of mutual interest. Upto 15 Fellowships (Rs.80,000/- p.m. + Contingency Allowance) and 25 Scholarships (Rs.50,000/- p.m. + Contingency Allowance) for a maximum period of 2 Years. The Fellowship is released in four equal six monthly installments.5. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR VETERAN ARTISTS The objective of this Scheme is to provide financial assistance maximum upto Rs.6.000/- p.m.

to the old artistes and scholars aged 60 years above having annual income not exceeding Rs.72,000/- who have contributed significantly in their specialized fields of arts, letters etc. In the event of death of the beneficiary, the financial assistance is transferred to his/her spouse.

6. Global Engagement Scheme The objective of this Scheme is to provide artists practicing Indian art forms, an opportunity to perform abroad under the banner of ‘Festival of India (FoI)’. Under the Scheme, artists from diverse cultural fields such as Folk Art including Folk Music, Folk Dance, Folk Theatre & Puppetry, Classical and Traditional Dance, Experimental/ Contemporary Dance, Classical/ Semi Classical Music, Theatre etc. perform in the ‘Festivals of India’ abroad. Under the Scheme, all expenditure on deputation of an artist for performing in “Festival of India” is incurred by the Government. Ministry of Culture has empaneled Artists/Groups under various art forms and Artists are selected from the empaneled list, for performing in the Festivals of India (Fols) abroad.

*****Annexure - II Annexure referred to in reply of part (a) of the Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No.+1404 answered on 09.02.2026 Number of beneficiaries and amount disbursed in the state of Maharashtra Sl. Name of the Scheme 2022-23 2023-24* 2024-25* No. No. of Amoun No. of Amoun No. of Amount Benefi t Benefi t Benefi (Rs. In - (Rs. In - (Rs. In - lakh) ciaries lakh) ciaries lakh) ciaries

1. Financial Assistance for Promotion 41 307.6 97 639.72 59 333.05 of Guru Shishya Parampara (Repertory Grant)

2. Financial Assistance to Cultural 0 0.00 1 15.00 1 18.75 Organizations with National Presence

3. Cultural Function and Production 56 104.1 34 29.64 44 97.31 Grant

4. Financial Assistance for the 11 38.25 14 41.00 14 57.45 Development of Buddhist/ Tibetan Culture & Art

5. Financial Assistance for Building 0 0 2 8 2 25 Grants including Studio Theatres

6. Scheme For the Award of Fellowship 84 118.80 85 84.00 52 78.60 to Outstanding Persons in The Field of Culture

7. Scheme for Scholarships to Young 40 12.00 127 38.10 81 24.30 Artistes in Different Cultural Fields

8. Financial Assistance for Veteran 740 273.49 1239 795.97 1392 541.19 Artists

9. Global Engagement Scheme Currently, 37 Artists/Groups empaneled with the Ministry are from the state of Maharashtra, out of which 7 Artists/Groups have been deputed to perform in the Fols, viz. one each in Oman, Netherlands, Ghana (2016-

17), Qatar (2018-19), South Africa (2019-20) and one each in Freedom 70 events held in Venezuela and Vietnam (2017-18). * In pursuant of the instructions issued by Department of Expenditure regarding Revised procedure for flow of funds under Central Sector Schemes and implementation of Central Nodal Agency

(CNA)Module, the financial assistance was released through Central Nodal Agency Module of payment to the selected grantee organizations.