Lok Sabha Question No. 4197 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-22
Subject: Cultural Programmes for Promotion and Development of Arts and Culture
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Arun Sao

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4197

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 22 ND  MARCH, 2021

## CULTURAL PROGRAMMES FOR PROMOTION AND DEVELOPMENT OF ARTS AND CULTURE

## † 4197. SHRI ARUN SAO:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  conducts  cultural  programmes  in  various  cities  and small  towns  of  the  country  for  the  promotion  and  development  of  arts  and culture;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the  details  of  funds  allocated/released  to  States/  Union  territories  including Chhattisgarh for organising these programmes during the last three years and the current year;
- (d) whether these programmes were appreciated a lot by the audience; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (I/C) FOR CULTURE AND TOURISM (SHRI PRAHLAD SINGH PATEL)

(a) & (b) To protect, promote and preserve and for development of various forms of folk  art  and  culture  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 various cities and small towns of the country  throughout  the  year.  Besides,  Rashtriya  Sanskriti  Mahotsavs  (RSMs)  are also  conducted  through  these  ZCCs  where  a  large  number  of  artists  from  all  over India are engaged to showcase their talents. From November, 2015 onwards, eleven (11) RSMs at 20 places have been organized by Ministry of Culture up till now in the country. These ZCCs also organize minimum 42 Regional Festivals for promotion of culture every year as per their programme calendar.

- (c) No  State/UT  wise  funds  are  released  by  Ministry  of  Culture  for  organizing these  programmes.  However,  Ministry  of  Culture  releases  annual  grant-in-aid  to these  seven  ZCCs  for  organizing  cultural  programmes  all  over  India  including Chhattisgarh. The details of grant-in-aid released to the seven ZCCs during the last three years and the current year are as under:-

| Year                 |   Amount (Rs. in lakh) |
|----------------------|------------------------|
| 2017-18              |                4689.71 |
| 2018-19              |                5952.69 |
| 2019-20              |                5732.95 |
| 2020-21 (as on date) |                4009.38 |

(d) & (e) The  cultural  activities/  programmes  including  RSMs  and  Regional Festivals  etc  are  being  organized  with  an  objective  to  preserve,  promote  and popularize  the  heritage  of  Indian  spirit,  to  re-connect  the  new  generation  with  our culture and to showcase the country and the world our soft power of unity in diversity. A  large  number  of  artists  from  all  over  the  country  showcase  their  talents  in  such programmes. School and college students participate in many such programmes and also  work as volunteers. These programmes are much appreciated by the masses and experience huge footfall during these cultural programmes organized throughout the country which make them aware about the various art forms and cultural values of India including its vast ancient culture.