Parliament Question: Scheme for Upliftment of Scheduled Castes

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †2346 ANSWERED ON 04.08.2025 SCHEMES FOR UPLIFTMENT OF SCHEDULED CASTES †2346. SHRI ANIL FIROJIYA: Will the MINISTER OF CULTURE be pleased to state: (a) whether any special schemes or programmes are being implemented by the Government for the promotion of cultural upliftment, art, heritage and traditions of the Scheduled Castes; (b) the details of the total amount of funds allocated in the budget for cultural projects related to Scheduled Castes during the last four years (2021-2025) including its utilization , State-wise; (c) whether special training, grants or performance opportunities have been provided by the Government for the preservation of Scheduled Castes artists, theatre groups, folk traditions etc., if so the details thereof; (d) whether museums, cultural events, research centres or archives for the Scheduled Castes have been set up; (e) if so the details thereof including their locations and their status; and (f) whether any monitoring mechanism or evaluation system is in place to ensure effective implementation of the schemes of the Government for the Scheduled Castes? ANSWER MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT) (a) No, Sir. The Ministry of Culture is implementing Kala Sanskriti Vikas Yojana (KSVY), an umbrella Scheme consisting a number of Central Sector Schemes under which financial assistance is provided to eligible cultural organizations/ individuals working in the field of performing arts including artists of Scheduled Castes across the country. The brief of these schemes is given at Annexure – I.(b) KSVY is a Central Sector Scheme, there is no provision of state-wise allocation of funds. However, the details of funds allocated under all schemes and its sub-components of Kala Sanskriti Vikas Yojana including Special Component Plan for Scheduled Castes Head during last four years is as under: Financial Funds Allocated Fund Utilized Year (Rs. In Cr.) (Rs. in Cr.) 2021-22 177.30 177.30 2022-23 214.32 214.32 2023-24 218.65 218.65 2024-25 207.24 207.24 (c) Under the Kala Sanskriti Vikas Yojna (KSVY), grants have been released for imparting training and providing cultural opportunities to artists, including the Scheduled Castes artists, theatre groups, folk tradition. (d) No, Sir. (e) Does not arise. (f) The utilization of funds is monitoring 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 provision of on-site physical inspections by the officials of the Ministry to monitor the progress and proper utilization of funds. ****Annexure – I Annexure referred to in reply of part (a) of the Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2346 for 04.08.2025 KALA SANSKRITI VIKAS YOJANA (KSVY): Kala Sanskriti Vikas Yojana (KSVY) is an umbrella scheme under Ministry of Culture for the promotion of art and culture in the country. It has the following sub-schemes under which financial assistance is provided to cultural organizations/individuals: 1. Financial Assistance for Promotion of Guru-Shishya Parampara (Repertory Grant) 2. Scheme of Financial Assistance for Promotion of Art and Culture. 3. Scheme of Scholarship and Fellowship for Promotion of Art and Culture. 4. Financial Assistance for Construction of Tagore Cultural Complexes (TCC) 5. Financial Assistance for Veteran Artists. 6. Seva Bhoj Yojana 7. National Gandhi Heritage Site Mission 8. National Award Scheme The brief of sub-schemes and their components under which financial assistance is provided to eligible cultural organizations / individuals working in the field of drama / theatre, music, dance and other performing arts across the country is as under:- 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 and 1 Guru and maximum 10 Shishyas in the field of music & dance. 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 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.1.00 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 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 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, Municipal Corporations, 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. 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. Seva Bhoj Yojna Under the Scheme of ‘Seva Bhoj Yojna’ Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) and Central Government’s share of Integrated Goods and Services Tax (IGST) paid on purchase of specific raw food items by Charitable/Religious Institutions for distributing free food to public shall be reimbursed as Financial Assistance by the Government of India. Free ‘prasad’ or free food or free ‘langar’ / ‘bhandara’ (community kitchen) offered by charitable/religious institutions like Gurudwara, Temples, Dharmik Ashram, Mosques, Dargah, Church, Math, Monasteries etc. are covered under Seva Bhoj Yojana. *****