Lok Sabha Question No. 1158 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-28
Subject: Financial Assistance for Promotion of Art and Culture Scheme
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Shri Vivek Thakur, Dr. Hemang Joshi, Shri Chavda Vinod Lakhamshi, Shri P P Chaudhary, Shri Madhavaneni Raghunandan Rao, Smt. Mala Rajya Laxmi Shah, Shri Ravindra Shukla Alias Ravi Kishan, Shri Shankar Lalwani, Shri Suresh Kumar Kashyap, Dr. Rajesh Mishra, Smt. Kamlesh Jangde, Shri Dineshbhai Makwana, Shri Jai Prakash

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1158 ANSWERED ON 28.07.2025

## FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR PROMOTION OF ART AND CULTURE SCHEME

## 1158.    SHRI MADHAVANENI RAGHUNANDAN RAO:

DR. RAJESH MISHRA:

SHRI P P CHAUDHARY:

SMT. MALA RAJYA LAXMI SHAH:

SHRI JAI PRAKASH:

SHRI RAVINDRA SHUKLA ALIAS RAVI KISHAN:

SHRI DINESHBHAI MAKWANA:

SHRI VIVEK THAKUR:

DR. HEMANG JOSHI:

SHRI SURESH KUMAR KASHYAP:

SHRI CHAVDA VINOD LAKHAMSHI:

SMT. KAMLESH JANGDE:

SHRI SHANKAR LALWANI:

## Will the MINISTER OF CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  the  number  of  cultural  organizations  that  received  assistance  under  the  Financial Assistance for Promotion of Art and Culture Scheme, particularly in Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan;
- (b) whether the Government has proposed any improvements under the scheme to ease the eligibility criteria to avail benefits fixed, particularly for small organizations and individual artists;
- (c) if so, the details thereof particularly district-wise for Himachal Pradesh;
- (d) the  details  of  the  mechanisms  in  place  to  ensure  timely  utilization  certificates  on  ground verification of fund usage;
- (e) whether the  Government has proposed to organize any local festival  or  any  national  festival  in sidhi Lok Sabha Constituency of Madhya Pradesh; and
- (f) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reason therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

- (a)  Ministry of Culture implements a Central Sector Scheme by the name of 'Financial Assistance for Promotion  of  Art  and  Culture.    This  scheme  has  eight  sub  -components  under  which  financial assistance  is  provided  directly  to  eligible  cultural  organizations  working  in  the  field  on  art  and culture  across  the  country  including  the  State  of  Chhattisgarh  and  Rajasthan.  The  brief  of  these schemes  alongwith  the  no.  of  organizations  received  assistance  under  the  schemes  is  given  at Annexure-I .
- (b)   No, Sir/Madam.
- (c) Does not arise.
- (d)  The utilization of funds is monitored 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 provisions of on-site physical inspections by the officials of the Ministry to monitor the progress and proper utilization of funds.
- (e) Yes, Sir /Madam.
- (f) The North Central Zonal Culture Centre, Prayagraj is organizing Bundeli Bagheli Utsav in Sidhi, M.P. in the month of November, 2025.

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Annexure referred to in reply of part (a) of the Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No.1158 answered on 28.07.2025

## 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  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 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. Intangible Cultural Heritage:

This scheme was launched by the Ministry of Culture in 2013 for safeguarding the intangible cultural heritage  and  diverse  cultural  traditions  of  the  country  with  the  objective  of  reinvigorating  and revitalizing  various  institutions,  groups,  NGOs,  etc.  so  that  they  may  engage  in  activities/projects  for strengthening, protecting, preserving and promoting the rich intangible cultural heritage of India.

## viii. 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. During last three years, Rs. 38.67 Cr. has been released under this scheme.

Details of funds released under various sub schemes of Promotion of Art and Culture in the State of Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan

(Rs. in lakhs)

| Sl. NO.   | Name of the Scheme                                                    | State        | State        | State        | State        | State        | State        | State        | State     | State        | State     | State        | State     |
|-----------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------|--------------|--------------|--------------|--------------|--------------|--------------|-----------|--------------|-----------|--------------|-----------|
|           |                                                                       | Chhattisgarh | Chhattisgarh | Chhattisgarh | Chhattisgarh | Chhattisgarh | Chhattisgarh | Rajasthan    | Rajasthan | Rajasthan    | Rajasthan | Rajasthan    | Rajasthan |
|           |                                                                       | 2022-23      | 2022-23      | 2023-24      | 2023-24      | 2024-25      | 2024-25      | 2022-23      | 2022-23   | 2023-24      | 2023-24   | 2024-25      | 2024-25   |
|           |                                                                       | No. of cases | Amt.         | No. of cases | Amt.         | No. of cases | Amt.         | No. of cases | Amt.      | No. of cases | Amt.      | No. of cases | Amt.      |
| 1.        | Financial Assistance to Cultural Organizations with National Presence | 0            | 0            | 0            | 0            | 0            | 0            | 1            | 37.50     | 1            | 26.25     | 2            | 27.50     |
| 2.        | Cultural Function and Production Grant Scheme                         | 3            | 5.50         | 4            | 7.50         | 3            | 6.42         | 48           | 81.16     | 57           | 46.28     | 24           | 44.55     |
| 3.        | Financial Assistance for Building Grants including Studio Theatres    | 1            | 7.50         | 0            | 0            | 0            | 0            | 1            | 7.50      | 0            | 0         | 0            | 0         |

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