**Executive Summary**
The document is a response to Unstarred Question No. 2472, answered on December 15, 2025, regarding the Government's efforts to promote traditional folk arts. It details the initiatives undertaken by the Ministry of Culture, specifically through Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs), and provides information on fund allocation to the North Central Zone Cultural Centre (NCZCC) in Prayagraj. The document does not specify any immediate action items or deadlines.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Government Initiatives:**
* The Government of India promotes and preserves traditional folk arts, including those of Scheduled Castes/Tribes/Backward Classes.
* Seven Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs) have been established across the country to organize cultural activities and programs in their member States.
* **Uttar Pradesh Programs:**
* The North Central Zone Cultural Centre (NCZCC) in Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh) organizes various cultural festivals and programs in its member States, including Uttar Pradesh.
* Programs include Kashi Tamil Sangamam, Kalagram (during Maha Kumbh-2025), Rashtriya Shilp Mela, and Chalo Man Ganga Teer.
* **Funding Details:**
* Funds are not allocated on a State/District/Constituency basis.
* Grant-in-aid released to NCZCC, Prayagraj is detailed for the last five years and the current year (2020-2026).
* 2020-21: Rs. 448.04 lakh
* 2021-22: Rs. 984.70 lakh
* 2022-23: Rs. 301.51 lakh
* 2023-24: Rs. 3553.24 lakh
* 2024-25: Rs. 3227.66 lakh
* 2025-26: Rs. 799.17 lakh (as of date)
* **Future Programs:**
* NCZCC organizes cultural festivals and programs in its member States, including Uttar Pradesh, according to a Programme Calendar approved by the Programme Committee.
**Impact Analysis**
**Ministry of Culture**
* **Impact:** The Ministry is responsible for promoting traditional folk arts.
* **Action Required:** Continue supporting ZCCs and reviewing their proposed programme calendars.
**Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs)**
* **Impact:** ZCCs are responsible for organizing cultural activities and programs to promote traditional folk arts in their respective member states.
* **Action Required:** Continue organizing programmes and managing funds according to their objectives and approved calendars.
**North Central Zone Cultural Centre (NCZCC)**
* **Impact:** NCZCC is responsible for organizing cultural festivals and programs in its member States, including Uttar Pradesh.
* **Action Required:** Continue organising programmes and managing funds according to their objectives and approved calendars.
**Member States (including Uttar Pradesh)**
* **Impact:** Benefit from the cultural programs organized by ZCCs, promoting local arts and culture.
* **Action Required:** Collaborate with ZCCs in their respective regions to facilitate the organization of cultural events.
**Artists and Artisans**
* **Impact:** Benefit from opportunities to showcase their talent and preserve traditional art forms through the initiatives of the Ministry of Culture and the ZCCs.
* **Action Required:** Participate in events and programs to promote their craft and contribute to cultural preservation.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Culture: Indian government ministry responsible for the promotion of traditional folk arts and culture.
Uttar Pradesh: Indian state where traditional folk art festivals are organized.
North Central Zone Cultural Centre (NCZCC): Autonomous organization under the Ministry of Culture responsible for organizing cultural festivals, located in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh.
Scheduled Castes/Tribes/Backward Classes: Social groups whose traditional folk arts are being promoted.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CULTURE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-2472
ANSWERED ON 15.12.2025
PROMOTION OF TRADITIONAL FOLK ARTS
†2472. DR. RAJKUMAR SANGWAN:
Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:
(a) the details of the efforts made/being made by the Government to promote all types of
traditional folk arts (including those of Scheduled Castes/Tribes/Backward Classes) in the
country;
(b) whether a festival of these arts is being organised in Uttar Pradesh for this purpose;
(c) if so, the details of the funds allocated and utilised for each district of Uttar Pradesh including
Baghpat Lok Sabha Constituency during the last five years and the current year;
(d) whether the Government proposes to organize festivals of these arts in other districts of Uttar
Pradesh including Baghpat district in the coming years; and
(e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM
(SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a) To protect, promote and preserve various forms of traditional folk arts (including those
of Scheduled Castes/Tribes/Backward Classes) throughout the country, the Government of India
has set up seven Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs) with headquarters at Patiala, Nagpur, Udaipur,
Prayagraj, Kolkata, Dimapur and Thanjavur. These ZCCs organize various cultural activities and
programmes on regular basis in their member States.
(b) & (c) North Central Zone Cultural Centre (NCZCC), Prayagraj located at Prayagraj
(Uttar Pradesh), an autonomous organization under Ministry of Culture, organizes various cultural
festivals/ programmes relating to these arts on regular basis in its member States including the
State of Uttar Pradesh. Some of the key programmes include the Kashi Tamil Sangamam,
Kalagram set up during Maha Kumbh-2025, Rashtriya Shilp Mela, Chalo Man Ganga Teer etc. No
State/District/Constituency wise funds are allocated for the purpose. However, grant-in-aid
released to NCZCC, Prayagraj during the last five years and the current year is as under:
Sl. No. Year Amount released (Rs. in lakh)
i. 2020-21 448.04
ii. 2021-22 984.70
iii. 2022-23 301.51
iv. 2023-24 3553.24
v. 2024-25 3227.66
vii. 2025-26 799.17
(as on date)
(d) & (e) NCZCC organizes various cultural festivals/ programmes in its member States
including the State of Uttar Pradesh as per their Programme Calendar of events approved by
the Programme Committee.
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