opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2771 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-13
Subject: Begging Children
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: DIPSINH SHANKARSINH RATHOD

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2771 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13.03.2018

## BEGGING CHILDREN

## 2771. SHRI D.S. RATHOD:

## Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has any plan/scheme to start educational programmes for the street begging children in the country; and

(b) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI VIJAY SAMPLA)

(a) & (b) The Ministry of Human Resource Development have informed that the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009, effective from 1st April, 2010, mandates that every child of the age of six to fourteen years shall have the right to free and compulsory education in a neighbourhood school  till  the  completion  of  his  or  her  elementary  education.  Section  4  of  the  RTE  Act  provides  for special training for age appropriate admission of out of school children. Those children who have missed out  certain  academic  years  either  for having  never  enrolled  to  school  or  having  dropped  out  of  school, have  a  right  to special training  in  residential  and  non  residential  mode,  before  getting  mainstreamed  in formal  schools  in  the  age  appropriate  class.  These  out  of  school  children  include  those  who  are  never enrolled,  those  who  drop  out,  children  of  migrants,  street  and  working  children,  children  without  adult protection etc.

Under  the  Sarva  Shiksha  Abhiyan  (SSA),  village  elders,  Panchayati  Raj  Institutions'  members, Self Help Groups and Non-Governmental Organisations are involved to create awareness and motivation amongst these  children  and  their  families.  Strategies  such  as  providing  residential  schools  and  hostels, transport and escort facility, seasonal hostels, special training centres at work site, migration cards, back to school camps etc. have been undertaken to assimilate these children into the formal education system.

The  Ministry  of  Women  and  Child  Development  has  informed  that  they  are  implementing Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) with the objective of creating a safe and secure environment for children in need of care and protection including those children who are found begging. Under ICPS, financial assistance is provided to the State Governments/UT Administrations for, inter-alia, undertaking a situational analysis of children in difficult circumstances, for setting up and maintenance of various types of Child Care Institutions  (CCIs).  The  Scheme  provides institutional care through CCIs. As  a rehabilitative  measure  in  these  CCIs,  children  are  provided  age  appropriate  education  either  within the institution or outside in a formal education system through convergence with other schemes and programs of the Government or Civil Society.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2769 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-13
Subject: Cultivation of Non-Approved Bt Cotton
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: VASANTHI M.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, COOPERATION AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2769

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 13 TH   MARCH, 2018

## CULTIVATION OF NON-APPROVED BT COTTON

2769.  SHRIMATI VASANTHI M.:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी be pleased to state:

whether it is a fact that non approved 3rd kind Bt cotton is being cultivated in the country

- (a) and if so, the details thereof; and
- (b) whether the Government proposes to conduct an in-depth investigation on the availability of such non-permitted Bt cotton seeds in the country and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंालय म राय मंी (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

- (a): Yes, Madam. Few cases of cultivation of non-approved 3 rd kind  Bt.  Cotton  have  been reported in States of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Maharashtra.
- (b): Field Inspection and Scientific Evaluation Committee (FISEC) under the Department of Bio-Technology, Ministry of  Science  &  Technology  has been  constituted for in depth investigation on the availability of such non permitted BT cotton seeds in the Country.
- ********
Lok Sabha Question No. 2768 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-13
Subject: Price Controlled Drugs
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: Kunhalikutty, P.K.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS DEPARTMENT OF PHARMACEUTICALS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2768 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13 th  March, 2018

## Price Controlled Drugs

2768.  SHRI P.K. KUNHALIKUTTY:

Will the Minister of CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  the  number  of  drugs  placed  under  price  control  by  the  National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) as on date;
- (b) whether the Ministry has received any objection from the multinational pharma companies as well as Indian pharma giants in this regard and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  NPPA  order  will  cover  the  medicines  under  the  National  List  of Essential Medicines (NLEM) and non-essential drugs also; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS; MINISTRY  OF  SHIPPING  AND  MINISTRY  OF  CHEMICALS  AND  FERTILIZERS (SHRI MANSUKH L. MANDAVIYA)

- (a): National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has fixed the ceiling price of 851 formulations covered under Schedule-I of the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013 (DPCO, 2013). The details are available at NPPA's website i.e. www.nppaindia.nic.in.
- (b): The  price  fixation  done  under  the  para  4,  5  &  6  of  DPCO,  2013,  can  be challenged  under  para  31  of  DPCO,  2013  to  the  Government.  Under  this  para, Government/Department has received various representations both from Indian as well as multinational companies.
- (c) & (d): The Schedule -I of DPCO, 2013 contains medicines which are covered under National List of Essential Medicines, 2015 (NLEM, 2015). The ceiling prices of these medicines are fixed under para 4, 5 & 6 of DPCO, 2013. Under this order, there is also  a  provision  under  which  the  Government  may,  in  public  interest,  fix  the  ceiling prices / retail prices of non-Scheduled formulations also.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2765 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-13
Subject: Smuggling of Drugs through Airports
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: K. C. VENUGOPAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2765

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 13 TH  MARCH, 2018 /PHALGUNA 22, 1939 (SAKA)

SMUGGLING OF DRUGS THROUGH AIRPORTS

2765. SHRI K.C. VENUGOPAL:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) the number of cases of smuggling and illegal transportation of drugs reported  from  various  airports  in  the  country  including  Kochi,  airportwise;

(b) whether the Government has taken any exclusive measures to check the smuggling of various kinds of drugs through airports in the country; and

(c) if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI HANSRAJ GANGARAM AHIR)

(a): The  number  of  cases  of  smuggling  and  illegal  transportation  of drugs reported from various agencies (as reported by NCB) at various airports in the country during the year 2017, airport-wise are as under:-

| S.No   | Name Of Airport        |   Total Cases |
|--------|------------------------|---------------|
| 1      | IGI Delhi              |            14 |
| 2      | Bangalore              |             4 |
| 3      | Madurai                |             3 |
| 4      | Chennai                |             4 |
| 5      | Trichy                 |             1 |
| 6      | Mumbai                 |            12 |
| 7      | Kolkata                |             5 |
| 8      | Goa                    |             1 |
| 9      | Andman& Nicobar Island |             2 |
| 10     | Dehradun               |             1 |
| 11     | Ahmedabad              |             1 |
| 12     | Mangalore              |             1 |
| 13     | Ernakulam (Kochi)      |             3 |
|        | Total Cases            |            52 |

## L.S.US.Q NO. 2765 FOR 13.03.2018

- (b)  &  (c)  The  following  measures  have  been  taken  to  prevent  drugs smuggling through Airports :-
- (i)  Strict  vigil,  enforcement  and  coordination  at  Airports  by  the  law enforcement agencies.
- (ii)  Profiling of suspected passengers.
- (iii)  Training  programme  for  Government  agencies  and  Staff  of  Airlines deployed at Airports.
- (iv) MOU/Bilateral agreements on drug related matters with 36 countries.
- (v)  Sharing of information with foreign agencies.

**********
Lok Sabha Question No. 2762 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-13
Subject: Medical Tourism
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: KUNWAR PUSHPENDRA SINGH CHANDEL

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †2762

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 13 TH  MARCH, 2018 /PHALGUNA 22, 1939 (SAKA)

MEDICAL TOURISM

†2762. SHRI KUNWAR PUSHPENDRA SINGH CHANDEL:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government is contemplating to further liberalise the visa policy for SAARC and African countries in order to boost medical tourism in India;

(b) if so, the details thereof; and

(c) the number of visas granted to citizens of foreign countries including Pakistan for treatment in India on humanitarian grounds during the last three years?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

(a) and (b): No Madam.

(c): Approximately  5,40,000  Medical  Visas  were  granted  to  citizens  of foreign countries, including Pakistan, during the last three years.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 2761 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-13
Subject: Deaths of Homeless People
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
Asked by: RADHESHYAM BISWAS

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2761 TO BE ANSWERED ON MARCH 13, 2018

## DEATHS OF HOMELESS PEOPLE

No. 2761 SHRI RADHESHYAM BISWAS:

Will  the  Minister  of  HOUSING  AND  URBAN  POVERTY  AFFAIRS  be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether a large number of homeless people in different parts of the country had died due to extreme cold/hot conditions;
- (b) if so, the details thereof State/UT-wise; and
- (c) the remedial steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF HOUSING & URBAN AFFAIRS

[SHRI HARDEEP SINGH PURI]

****

(a)  to  (c):  One  of  the  reasons  for  deaths  due  to  extreme  weather conditions could be lack of proper habitat. It is the primary responsibility of Governments of the States/Union Territories to provide shelter for the urban homeless population. Data on the number of deaths in  urban  areas  during  winter  and  summer  season  due  to  extreme weather condition is not available.

In order to complement and supplement the efforts of Governments of  States/  UTs  in  this  regard,  Ministry  of  Housing  &  Urban  Affairs  is administering  a  scheme  'Shelter  for  Urban  Homeless  (SUH)'  as  one  of the seven components of Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Urban Livelihoods  Mission  (DAY-NULM),  through  respective  States/UTs.    It focuses on providing permanent shelters equipped with basic facilities to the urban homeless. As on 28.02.2018, a total of 1331 shelters have been  sanctioned  by  25  States/UTs,  out  of  which  789  shelters  are operational.

Provision  of  shelter  for  urban  homeless  is  a  step  in  the  right direction to prevent deaths of homeless people due to extreme weather conditions.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 240 (STARRED), answered on 2018-03-12
Subject: Student-Scientist Connect Programme
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: ARVIND GANPAT SAWANT, KRUPAL BALAJI TUMANE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION & LITERACY

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO.240 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.3.2018

## STUDENT-SCIENTIST CONNECT PROGRAMME

## † *240. SHRI ARVIND SAWANT: SHRI KRUPAL BALAJI TUMANE:

Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Department  of  Education  has  signed  a  Memorandum  of Understanding with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research for developing scientific temper among the students;
- (b) if  so,  the  salient  features  thereof  along  with  the  amount  of  funds allocated for the purpose;
- (c) whether  the  students  are  likely  to  be  provided  with  access  to  better equipment and laboratories to conduct practical experiments and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government aims to expand the student-scientist connect programme - JIGYASA to other schools, and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the details of the manner in which the Government is likely to incentivise other national science organisations to join JIGYASA partnership?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)

- (a) to (e) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

******

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (e)  OF  THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 240 RAISED BY SHRI ARVIND SAWANT & SHRI  KRUPAL  BALAJI  TUMANE,  HON'BLE  MEMBERS  OF PARLIAMENT  TO  BE  ANSWERED  ON  12 th   MARCH,  2018  REGARDING STUDENT-SCIENTIST CONNECT PROGRAMME.

- (a) A  Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Kendriya Vidyalaya  Sangathan  (KVS)  and  Council  of  Scientific  and  Industrial  Research (CSIR)  on  6 th July,  2017  for  implementing  the  Scientist-student  connect programme - Jigyasa - in the Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs).
- (b) The salient features of the MoU are the following models of engagement:
-  Student Apprenticeship programme
-  Science and Maths Club
-  Learning while doing
-  Scientists as Teachers and Teachers as Scientists
-  Student Residential Programme
-  Teachers' Workshop
-  Summer Vacation Programmes
-  Visits of Scientists to Schools
-  Popular Lecture Series
-  Lab specific activities / Onsite experiments and many more.

No  separate  allocation  has  been  earmarked  by  CSIR  for  the  programme. The  expenditure  is  to  be  borne  by  CSIR  laboratories  as  part  of  their 'Scientific Social Responsibilities'.

- (c) The students are provided with access to equipment and laboratories as per the demand of the programme to inculcate 'Scientific Temper'.
- (d) CSIR has informed that the schools run by Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti are also sought to be covered under the 'Jigyasa' initiative.
- (e) No such proposal is under consideration at present.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 238 (STARRED), answered on 2018-03-12
Subject: Off-Campus Centre of Aligarh Muslim University
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Kunhalikutty, P.K.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO. 238 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.03.2018

## Off-Campus Centre of Aligarh Muslim University

## *238.  SHRI P.K. KUNHALIKUTTY:

Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has released the full fund approved for the off-campus centre of the Aligarh Muslim University situated in Malappuram in Kerala;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the time by which it is likely to be released;
- (c) whether the Government is considering to fill up the staff shortage at the off-campus centre of the said University; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the time by which it is likely to be filled up?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

(SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)

- (a)  to  (d): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  to  (d)  OF  LOK  SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 238 FOR 12.03.2018 ASKED BY SHRI P.K. KUNHALIKUTTY  REGARDING  OFF-CAMPUS  CENTRE  OF  ALIGARH  MUSLIM UNIVERSITY.

(a)  &  (b):    The  University  Grants  Commission  (UGC)  allocated  Rs.104.93  crore  for  the Malappuram, Kerala Centre of the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) out of which Rs.60.00 crore has already been released. As informed by the University, it has incurred the expenditure of Rs.50.11 crore for Malappuram Centre out of Rs.60.00 crore released by the UGC. The UGC has not received the audited Utilization Certificates (UCs) as per requirement of General Financial Rules (GFR), 2017 due to which it could not release the further grant to AMU for Malappuram Centre. Further release of funds to the Malappuram Centre depends upon scrutiny of the fresh proposals of the University by the UGC and compliance of usual terms and conditions including receipt of audited UCs for the grant released earlier.

(c)  &  (d):  The  UGC  has  sanctioned  29  teaching  and  19  non-teaching  positions  for  the Malappuram Centre of AMU. As per the information provided by the University, 11 teaching posts  and  2  non-teaching  posts  are  at  present  filled  up  on  permanent  basis.  As  per  the arrangement made by the University, rest of the posts are manned mainly on contractual basis. The onus of filling up the sanctioned teaching and non-teaching positions on regular basis as per the  relevant  rules  and  regulations  primarily  lies  with  the  concerned  University  administration. However, from time to time, the Ministry as well as the UGC has been requesting all the Central Universities including AMU to fill up their vacant posts on priority.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 237 (STARRED), answered on 2018-03-12
Subject: Hike in Entry Fee for Taj Mahal
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: THOKCHOM MEINYA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.237 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.3.2018

## HIKE IN ENTRY FEE FOR TAJ MAHAL

- *237. DR. THOKCHOM MEINYA:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the entry fee for Taj Mahal has been exorbitantly hiked for both foreign and domestic tourists;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reason therefor;
- (c) whether some time limit has also been fixed for the visitors to see the Taj; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR CULTURE AND MINISTER OF STATE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

(DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

- (a)to(d) A statement is laid on the table of the House.

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) TO (d) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.237 FOR 12.3.2018

- (a) No, Madam.
- (b) Does not arise.
- (c) The proposal is under consideration.
- (d) The  proposal  for  fixing  duration  of  visiting  hours  in  Taj  Mahal  is proposed for three hours.
Lok Sabha Question No. 231 (STARRED), answered on 2018-03-12
Subject: Status of University to Private/Selfaided/Self-financing Colleges
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: N.K. PREMACHANDRAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

LOK SABHA

STARRED QUESTION No. *231

TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.03.2018

## Status of University to Private/Self-aided/Self-financing Colleges

## *231. SHRI N.K. PREMACHANDRAN:

Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to give autonomy to the private colleges and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  whether  the  University  Grants  Commission  (UGC)  has  issued  direction  for  giving autonomy to private/self-aided/self-financing colleges and if so, the details thereof along with the criteria fixed by the Government therefor;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to give the status of University to the private/selfaided/self-financing colleges and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  give  power  to  the  private/self-aided/selffinancing  colleges  to  issue  mark  lists  and  certificates  and  if  so,  the  details  thereof including the criteria fixed by the Government  for ensuring the standard and transparency?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)

- (a)  to (d): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

11 th Position STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  to  (d)  OF  LOK  SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *231 FOR 12.03.2018 ASKED BY SHRI N.K. PREMACHANDRAN, HON'BLE MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT REGARDING STATUS OF UNIVERSITY TO PRIVATE/SELF-AIDED/SELF-FINANCING COLLEGES. (a) to  (d):  University  Grants  Commission  (UGC)  has  informed  that  it  has  notified  the UGC (Conferment of Autonomous Status upon Colleges and Measures for maintenance of Standards in Autonomous Colleges) Regulations, 2018 on 12 th February, 2018 with a view to enable them to determine and prescribe their own courses of study and syllabi, restructure and redesign the courses to suit local need, make them skill oriented and in consonance with the job requirements. According  to  above  regulations,  Colleges  of  any  discipline  whether  aided, partially aided and unaided/self financing after they have completed minimum 10 years of  existence  are  eligible  for  grant  of  autonomy  provided  they  are  recognised  under section 2(f) of the UGC Act, 1956. Colleges which have been granted autonomy, can announce results, issue mark sheets, migration and other certificates. However, the degree shall be awarded by the University with the name of the college on the degree certificate.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 228 (STARRED), answered on 2018-03-12
Subject: Promotion of Cultural Heritage
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: RAJU ALIAS DEVAPPA ANNA SHETTI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 228 TH

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 12 MARCH, 2018

## PROMOTION OF CULTURAL HERITAGE

## † *228.   SHRI RAJU SHETTY:

## Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to set up cultural centres in the entire country including Maharashtra  for promotion  of  cultural heritage of India and its values among the youth; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (I/C) FOR CULTURE AND MINISTER OF STATE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST & CLIMATE CHANGE

(DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

- (a) & (b) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  &  (b)  OF  LOK  SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 228 FOR 12 TH MARCH, 2018

(a) & (b) To protect & preserve various forms of art and promotion of cultural heritage of India and its values among the youth throughout the country including Maharashtra,  the  Government  of  India  has  set  up  seven  Zonal  Cultural  Centres (ZCCs) with headquarters at Patiala, Nagpur, Udaipur, Allahabad, Kolkata, Dimapur and Thanjavur. These ZCCs organize cultural activities and programmes on  regular  basis  all  over  India.  Annual  grant-in-aid  is  provided  to  these  ZCCs  by Government of India for carrying out their mandated activities.

To  showcase  and  increase  awareness  among  people  regarding  cultural heritage and values of India, the Ministry of Culture organized Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsavs  (RSMs)  at  New  Delhi  during  November,  2015  and  October,  2016,  at Varanasi during December, 2016, at Bengaluru & Tawang during March, 2017, at Gujarat  during  October,  2017,  at  Karnataka  during  January,  2018  and  at  Madhya Pradesh  during  February,  2018.  A  Sanskriti  Mahotsav  was  also  organized  at Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh during February, 2018.