Lok Sabha Question No. 15 (STARRED), answered on 2025-02-03
Subject: Promotion and Preservation of Cultural Heritage in Assam
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Md. Rakibul Hussain

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 15

ANSWERED ON 03.02.2025

## PROMOTION AND PRESERVATION OF CULTURAL HERITAGE IN ASSAM

*15.MD. RAKIBUL HUSSAIN:

- Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state: (a)  whether the Government has taken specific initiatives to promote and preserve the rich cultural heritage of Dhubri, Assam particularly the region's traditional art forms, languages and festivals, if so, the details thereof; (b)  the details of the measures being implemented by the Government to enhance infrastructure and funding for cultural institutions and events in Dhubri, ensuring have  access  to
- that local artists, cultural practitioners and  organizations necessary resources and support; and
- (c)  the details of the measures being taken by the Government to ensure inclusivity and representation of all cultural and ethnic communities in promoting Assam's identity at the national level?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

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

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## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) IN RESPECT OF LOK SABHA  STARRED  QUESTION  NO.  15  FOR  REPLY  ON  03.02.2025  REGARDING PROMOTION AND PRESERVATION OF CULTURAL HERITAGE IN ASSAM ASKED BY MD. RAKIBUL HUSSAIN

(a) To promote and preserve various traditional art forms and festival of Assam including Dhubri and its rich cultural heritage, the Government of India has set up two Zonal Cultural Centres  (ZCCs)  viz.  North  East  Zone  Cultural  Centre  (NEZCC),  Dimapur  and  Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre (EZCC), Kolkata in which Assam is the member State of both the ZCCs.  These  ZCCs  organize  a  number  of  cultural  programmes  and  activities  including Dance, Workshop, folk & tribal festival etc. in the State of Assam throughout the year on regular  basis.  A  list  of  programmes  done  in  Assam  in  the  last  5  years  is  enclosed  at Annexure-I .

The Union Cabinet of India has granted classical status to the Assamese language on 3 rd October, 2024.

(b) A  number  of  measures  have  been  implemented  by  the  Government  to  enhance infrastructure  and  funding  for  cultural  institutions  and  events  in  Assam  including  Dhubri, ensuring that local artists, cultural practitioners and  organizations  have access  to necessary resources and  support.  Ministry  of  Culture  administers  various  Central  Sector Schemes through which financial support is provided to the cultural institutions/ individual artists, the details of which are given at Annexure-II .

(c)  To ensure inclusivity and representation of all cultural and ethnic communities of the country  including  the  State  of  Assam,  NEZCC  &  EZCC  engage  local  artists  from  their member  states  for  showcasing  their  talent  in  various  cultural  programmes  organized throughout the country for which they are paid honorarium, DA/TA, boarding & lodging and local transport. Besides, under National Cultural Exchange Programme, artists from other zones/ states are invited to participate in programmes/ festivals organized by Zonal Cultural Centres  (ZCCs)  where  audience  get  the  chance  to  enjoy  and  understand  art  forms  of different  regions.  For  instance,  'Vividhhta  Ka  Amrit  Mahotsav'  from  8 th to  11 th February, 2024 at Rashtrapati Bhawan, New Delhi and 'Bhartiya Kala Mahotsav' from 28 th September to 6 th October, 2024 at Rashtrapati Nilayam, Hyderabad were organized through NEZCC in which  various  cultural  performances  by  the  artists  from  North  Eastern  Region  including Assam were showcased. Similarly, Ministry of Culture also organizes Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsavs (RSMs) in which artists from all the states  of the  country  come  together  and showcase  their  performances  in  various  parts  of  the  country  ensuring  inclusivity  and representation  of  all  cultural  and  ethnic  communities  in  promoting  state's  identity  at  the national  level.  Till  date,  14  RSMs  and  04  Zonal  Level  RSMs  have  been  organized  by Ministry of Culture, the details of which are given at Annexure-III .

Octave - a festival of the North East which is also organized by all seven Zonal Cultural Centres  to  promote  folk  culture  of  the  North  Eastern  States  by  way  of  providing  an exclusive platform to the artists and artisans of NE Region including Assam.

Sahitya Akademi regularly invites Assamese authors, poets, scholars, and translators to participate in literary events across India.

Assamese  literature  is  actively  translated  and  promoted  through  Akademi's  national translation initiatives.

The Lalit Kala Akademi (LKA) has incorporated Assamese cultural elements including artistic  depictions  of  Bihu  folk  dance,  Puttichitra  art,  traditional  masks  and  tea  cultivation scenesin its Regional Centre, Kolkata. LKA also provides platforms for Assamese artists in national exhibitions, camps and workshops.

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## Annexure referred to in reply to part(a) of Lok Sabha Starred Question No.     15 for 03.02.2025

## List of programmes done in Assam in the last 5 years

2019-20

| Sl. No.   | Name of programme                                                                              | Date             | Venue                       |
|-----------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------|-----------------------------|
| i.        | Shree ShreeBadala Padma Aata 473 rd Birth Centenary Celebration                                | 13-15 June, 2019 | Panjabari, Guwahati, Assam  |
| ii.       | Classical dance & music Festival on the occasion of 150 th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi | 19-21 Sept, 2019 | Natya Mandir Nalbari, Assam |
| iii.      | Workshop on Mask Making                                                                        | 21-30 Sept, 2019 | Tezpur, Assam               |
| iv.       | Workshop on EthnicCostume, Traditional Garments Making in Handloom                             | 21-30 Sept, 2019 | Tezpur, Assam               |
| v.        | Workshop on Cane & Bamboo Craft                                                                | 21-30 Sept, 2019 | Tezpur, Assam               |
| vi.       | Workshop on Traditional Drums Making                                                           | 21-30 Sept, 2019 | Tezpur, Assam               |
| vii.      | Panchakala Utsav - 2019                                                                        | 18-20 Oct, 2019  | Guwahati, Assam             |
| viii.     | Workshop on SeraikelaChhau dance                                                               | 4-10 Nov, 2019   | Sonapur, Assam              |
| ix.       | Workshop on Langkhon Fuja Mishwa dance                                                         | 8-14 Nov, 2019   | Morigaon, Assam             |
| x.        | Inter State Folk & Tribal Dance Festival                                                       | 21-23 Nov, 2019  | Sonapur, Assam              |
| xi.       | Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Cleanliness Programme)                                                  | 20 Feb, 2020     | Assam                       |

2020-21

| Sl. No.   | Name of programme                    | Date              | Venue           |
|-----------|--------------------------------------|-------------------|-----------------|
| i.        | Sattriya Dance Presentation          | 22 to 24May, 2020 | Online          |
| ii.       | Lok Sanskriti Utsav at Assam         | 28 Sept, 2020     | Online          |
| iii.      | Purbaranga National Theatre Festival | 7-9 Dec, 2020     | Guwahati, Assam |

2021-22

| Sl. No.   | Name of programme                       | Date          | Venue   |
|-----------|-----------------------------------------|---------------|---------|
| i.        | Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat (EBSB)       | 12 May, 2021  | Online  |
| ii.       | Lok Sanskriti Utsav of Assam            | 17 May, 2021  | Online  |
| iii.      | Lok Sanskriti Utsav of Assam (Part-II)  | 05 June, 2021 | Online  |
| iv.       | Lok Sanskriti Utsav of Assam (Part-III) | 19 June, 2021 | Online  |
| v.        | Lok Sanskriti Utsav of Assam            | 04 July, 2021 | Online  |

|       | (Part-IV)                                                                                     |                       |                  |
|-------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------|------------------|
| vi.   | Lok Sanskriti Utsav of Assam (Part-V)                                                         | 24 July, 2021         | Online           |
| vii.  | Production Oriented Theatre Workshop on Swachh Bharat & Covid-19                              | 21-30 Aug, 2021       | Dibrugarh, Assam |
| viii. | Lok Sanskriti Utsav of Assam (Part-VI)                                                        | 29 Aug, 2021          | Online           |
| ix.   | Meet of Cultural & Tourism Ministers of North Eastern States                                  | 13 & 14 Sept, 2021    | Guwahati         |
| x.    | Cultural evening on the eve of Tourism & Cultural Minister Conference of North Eastern States | 13 & 14 Sept, 2021    | Guwahati, Assam  |
| xi.   | Theatre Workshop at Guwahati                                                                  | 13-22 Sept, 2021      | Guwahati, Assam  |
| xii.  | Workshop on Kamrupia Dhulia                                                                   | 25 Sept - 4 Oct, 2021 | Nalbari, Assam   |
| xiii. | National Level Theatre Festival                                                               | 28 Oct, 2021          | Lakhimpur, Assam |
| xiv.  | Sangeet Stuti                                                                                 | 25 Dec, 2021          | Lakhimpur, Assam |
| xv.   | Bihu Mahotsav                                                                                 | 3-5 Feb, 2022         | Barihat, Assam   |
| xvi.  | Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat (EBSB)                                                              | 3 Mar, 2022           | Nogaon, Assam    |

## 2022-23

| Sl. No.   | Name of programme                     | Date            | Venue            |
|-----------|---------------------------------------|-----------------|------------------|
| i.        | Experimental Learning Conclave - 2022 | 1 April, 2022   | Guwahati, Assam  |
| ii.       | Workshop on Aainaam and Biyanaam      | 1-10 Sept, 2022 | Jorhat, Assam    |
| iii.      | Workshop on Folk Songs of Assam       | 9-18 Sept, 2022 | Nalbari, Assam   |
| iv.       | SwachhtaPakhwada                      | 3 Oct, 2022     | Dibrugarh, Assam |

## 2023-24

| Sl. No.   | Name of programme                  | Date         | Venue            |
|-----------|------------------------------------|--------------|------------------|
| i.        | International Yoga Day             | 21June, 2023 | Kamrup, Assam    |
| ii.       | Sangeet Stuti 2023                 | 10 Aug, 2023 | Teok, Assam      |
| iii.      | Workshop on AnkiyaZhumura          | 26Aug, 2023  | Sivasagar, Assam |
| iv.       | Production oriented drama workshop | 3Sept, 2023  | Guwahati, Assam  |
| v.        | Theatre Workshop cum Street Play   | 5 Sept, 2023 | Guwahati, Assam  |
| vi.       | Workshop on AnkiyaZhumura          | 9Sept, 2023  | Sivasagar, Assam |

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## Annexure referred to in reply to part(b) of Lok Sabha Starred Question No.     15 for 03.02.2025

## Schemes administers by Performing Arts Bureau, Ministry of Culture

1. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR PROMOTION OF GURU-SHISHYA PARAMPARA (REPERTORY GRANT): The objective of this scheme 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/- p.m. and for the Shishya, the same is Rs.2000-10000/- p.m. 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: 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 Rs. 1 crore or more during 3 of the last 5 years on cultural activities. The quantum of grant under this scheme is Rs.1 crore which can be increased to Rs. 5 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 maximum grants provided under CFPG 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 funding  is  Rs.  10.00  lakhs  per  year  for  an  organization  which  can  be increased to Rs. 30.00 lakhs 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 Rs. 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. Financial  Assistance  for  Allied  Cultural  Activities: The  objective  of  this scheme component is to provide financial assistance to all eligible organizations for creation of assets for enhancing the audio-visual spectacle for allied cultural activities to  give  firsthand  experience  of  live  performances  on  regular  basis  and  during festivals  in  open/closed  areas/spaces.  Maximum  assistance  under  the  scheme component, including applicable duties & taxes and also Operation & Maintenance (O&M)  costing  for  five  years,  will  be  as  under:-  (i)  Audio:  Rs.1.00  crore;  (ii) Audio+Video: Rs. 1.50 crore.

vii. Domestic  Festivals  and  Fairs: The objective  of  this  scheme  is  to  provide assistance for holding the 'Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsavs' organized by Ministry of Culture.

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 notfor-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 1825  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 instalments.

iii. 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 instalments.

5. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR VETERAN ARTISTS: The objective of this Scheme is to provide financial assistance of 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  YOJANA: 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.

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## Annexure referred to in reply to part(c) of Lok Sabha Starred Question No.     15 for 03.02.2025

Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsavs/ Zonal Level Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsavs organized by Ministry of Culture

## Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsavs

|   Sl. No. |   Year | Venue                                                            |
|-----------|--------|------------------------------------------------------------------|
|         1 |   2015 | Delhi (IGNCA)                                                    |
|         2 |   2016 | Delhi (IGNCA)                                                    |
|         3 |   2016 | Uttar Pradesh (BHU, Varanasi)                                    |
|         4 |   2017 | Karnataka (Bengaluru)                                            |
|         5 |   2017 | Arunachal Pradesh (Tawang)                                       |
|         6 |   2017 | Gujarat(Ahmedabad)                                               |
|         7 |   2018 | Karnataka (Hubli, Bengaluru and Mangalore)                       |
|         8 |   2018 | Madhya Pradesh(Gwalior, Bhopal and Indore)                       |
|         9 |   2018 | Uttarakhand (Tehri)                                              |
|        10 |   2019 | Madhya Pradesh(Jabalpur, Sagar and Rewa)                         |
|        11 |   2021 | West Bengal(Cooch Behar, Darjeeling and Murshidabad)             |
|        12 |   2022 | Andhra Pradesh (Rajahmundry) and Telangana(Warangal & Hyderabad) |
|        13 |   2023 | Maharashtra (Mumbai)                                             |
|        14 |   2023 | Rajasthan (Bikaner)                                              |

## Zonal Level Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsavs

|   Sl. No. |   Year | Venue                 |
|-----------|--------|-----------------------|
|         1 |   2023 | Rajasthan (Kota)      |
|         2 |   2023 | Delhi (Central Park)  |
|         3 |   2023 | Maharashtra (Pune)    |
|         4 |   2024 | Telangana (Hyderabad) |

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