Lok Sabha Question No. 288 (STARRED), answered on 2021-08-09
Subject: Setting up of Cultural Museum in North Bengal
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Raju Bista

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *288

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.08.2021

## SETTING UP OF CULTURAL MUSEUM IN NORTH BENGAL

## * 288.  SHRI  RAJU BISTA :

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

- (a)    whether the Ministry taking into cognizance the rich cultural diversity of the North Bengal districts of Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, Cooch Behar and adjoining areas, proposes to set up a cultural museum in the region to promote

and preserve the local indigenous culture and traditions; and

- (b)      the  details  of  assistance  provided  for  Darjeeling  and  Kalimpong  districts  under various schemes of the Ministry during each of the last five years?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF CULTURE, TOURISM AND DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION (G. KISHAN REDDY)

- (a) to (b):  A Statement is laid on the table of the House.

## STATEMENT REFERRED IN REPLY TO PART (a) to (b) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. * 288 FOR REPLY ON 09.08.2021

- (a) Ministry  of  Culture  operates  a  'Museum  Grant  Scheme'  for  preservation  and protection of art and culture by providing financial assistance to State Governments/Voluntary  Bodies/Societies/Trusts  for  setting  up  of  museums.  At present, Ministry of Culture has not received any proposal for setting up a cultural museum in North Bengal region.

However, taking into cognizance the rich cultural diversity of this region, Ministry of Culture has already set up the following Museums/Science Centres:-

- i. Cooch Behar Palace Museum -  Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) under Ministry  of  Culture  is  maintaining  and  managing  this  museum  in  Cooch Behar.  The  museum  displays  artifacts  of  17th-18th  century  related  to  the Cooch dynasty.
- ii. North  Bengal  Science  Centre(NBSC),  Siliguri  in  Darjeeling  district  under Scheme for Promotion of Culture of Science (SPoCS).
- iii. Sub-Regional Science Centre in Kalimpong district under SPoCS.
- iv. Innovation  hubs  were  also  set  up  in  NBSC,  Siliguri  and  in  Sub-Regional Science Centre, Kalimpong.

Besides, Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre(EZCC), Kolkata under this Ministry has been engaged in promoting and preserving rural, folk and tribal culture of West Bengal. For this purpose, EZCC has been organizing a series of folk and tribal festivals.  Most  of  the  art  forms of  Darjeeling,  Kalimpong,  Jalpaiguri,  Alipurduar, Cooch Behar and adjoining areas have been showcased by EZCC in its different programs.

- (b) The details of financial assistance provided for Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts under various schemes of the Ministry during each of the last five years are as under:-

## Darjeeling

| S.No.   | Scheme                                                                                      |         |          | Year     |          |          |
|---------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------|----------|----------|----------|----------|
|         |                                                                                             | 2016-17 | 2017- 18 | 2018- 19 | 2019- 20 | 2020- 21 |
| 1       | Scheme of Financial Assistance for the Development of Buddhist/Tibetan Cultural and Art     | 106.00  | 45.02    | 28.00    | 55.00    | -        |
| 2       | Scheme of Financial Assistance for Promotion of Art and Culture (Repertory Grant Component) | 8.40    | 8.40     | 8.40     | 8.40     | 8.40     |
| 3       | Cultural Function & Production Grant Scheme                                                 | -       | -        | -        | 2.50     | -        |
| 4       | Scheme of Scholarship and Fellowship for Promotion of Art and Culture                       | -       | 0.30     | 0.30     | -        | 0.90     |
| 5       | Scheme for Promotion of Culture of Science (SPoCS)                                          | 210.21  | 299.18   | 217.10   | 220.16   | 172.78   |

## Kalimpong

| S.No.   | Scheme                                                                                  | Year    | Year     | Year     | Year     | Year     |
|---------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------|----------|----------|----------|----------|
| S.No.   | Scheme                                                                                  | 2016-17 | 2017- 18 | 2018- 19 | 2019- 20 | 2020- 21 |
| 1       | Scheme of Financial Assistance for the Development of Buddhist/Tibetan Cultural and Art | -       | -        | 2.50     | 3.86     | -        |
| 2       | Cultural Function & Production Grant                                                    | -       | -        | 1.00     | -        | -        |
| 3       | Scheme of Scholarship and Fellowship for Promotion of Art and Culture                   | 0.30    | -        | 0.30     | -        | -        |
| 4       | Scheme for Promotion of Culture of Science (SPoCS)                                      | 59.21   | 3.54     | 29.96    | 7.50     | 7.50     |

*****

(in Rs. Lakhs)

(in Rs. Lakhs)