Lok Sabha Question No. 216 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-21
Subject: Financial Assistance for Traditional Artists in Rural Areas
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Smt. Delkar Kalaben Mohanbhai, Dr. Shivaji Bandappa Kalge, Shri Bhumare Sandipanrao Asaram, Shri Gyaneshwar Patil

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.216

## ANSWERED ON 21.07.2025

## FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR TRADITIONAL ARTISTS IN RURAL AREAS

## ✝ 216.  Dr. Shivaji BandappaKalge:

Shri BhumareSandipanrao Asaram:

Shri Gyaneshwar Patil:

Smt. Delkar Kalaben Mohanbhai:

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

- (a)    whether  Government has implemented any financial assistance schemes for traditional artists in rural areas of different States of the country, if so, the details thereof in the States of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli;
- (b)    the  details  of  the  schemes  providing  financial  assistance  to  promote  startups  and innovation related to art and culture;
- (c) whether the Government is providing any financial support to promote traditional art and culture globally through digital media and online platforms; and
- (d)  if so, the details thereof, particularly in UT of Dadra and Nagar Haveli?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER FOR CULTURE AND TOURISM

## (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a):  The  Ministry  of  Culture  administers  Kala  Sanskriti  Vikas  Yojana  (KSVY),  a  Central Sector scheme consisting various scheme components, for providing financial assistance to artists engaged in various forms of performing arts including traditional arts in rural areas of different  State  of  the  country  including  the  States  of  Maharashtra,  Madhya  Pradesh  and Union  Territory  of  Dadra  and  Nagar  Haveli.  The  brief  of  these  schemes  is  given  at Annexure  -  I .  The  details  of  quantum  of  financial  assistance  provided  and  number  of cultural  organizations/individuals  supported  under  various  schemes  during  the  last  three years across the country is given at Annexure - II .

(b) As such no financial scheme is administered by Ministry of Culture to promote startup and innovation related to art and culture.

(c) & (d): To promote India's rich cultural heritage including UT of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Ministry  of  Culture  implements  a  scheme  titled  'Global  Engagement  Scheme'  to  enhance India's  image  in  the  global  arena  in  a  concerted  manner.  The  objective  of  the  scheme  is providing artists practicing Indian art forms including traditional art & culture an opportunity to perform abroad under the banner of 'Festival of India'.

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## Annexure referred to in reply of part (a) of the Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No.216# answered on 21.07.2025

## 1. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR PROMOTION OF GURU-SHISHYA PARAMPARA (REPERTORY GRANT)

The objective of this scheme component 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,  music  &  dance.  The Amount  of  Assistance  for  Guru  is Rs.15000/- per month and for Shishya, the same is Rs.2000-10000/-per month 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

The objective of this scheme component is 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.1.00 crore which can be increased to Rs.5.00 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 quantum of grant under this scheme 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 grant is Rs.10.00 lakh per year for an organization which can be increased to Rs. 30.00 lakh 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. 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.

## 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 not-for-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 monthlyinstallments.

## 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 18-25 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 monthlyinstallments.

## 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 monthlyinstallments.

## 5.       FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR VETERAN ARTISTS

The  objective  of  this  Scheme  is  to  provide  financial  assistance  maximum  upto 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.

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Annexure referred to in reply of part (a) of the Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No.216# answered on 21.07.2025

## Number of organizations / Individuals supported under various schemes across the country

| Sl.   | Name of Scheme                                                                                              | Financial year                                   | Financial year                                         | Financial year                                   | Financial year                                            | Financial year                                    | Financial year                                           |
|-------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------|
| No.   |                                                                                                             | 2022-2023                                        | 2022-2023                                              | 2023-2024                                        | 2023-2024                                                 | 2024-2025                                         | 2024-2025                                                |
| No.   |                                                                                                             | Number of Individual s /Organizat ions supported | Quantum of financial assistanc e provided (Rs. In Cr.) | Number of Individua ls /Organiza tions supported | Quant um of financi al assista nce provid ed (Rs. In Cr.) | Number of Individua ls / Organizat ions supported | Quantu mof financi al assista nce provide d (Rs. In Cr.) |
| 1.    | Financial Assistance for Promotion of Guru Shishya Parampara (Repertory Grant)                              | 1213                                             | 86.22                                                  | 1882*                                            | 77.95                                                     | 1418                                              | 84.03                                                    |
| 2.    | Financial Assistance to Cultural Organizations with National Presence (including R.K. Mission, West Bengal) | 15                                               | 11.60                                                  | 24                                               | 12.67                                                     | 28                                                | 11.83                                                    |
| 3.    | Cultural Function and Production Grant                                                                      | 2156                                             | 32.75                                                  | 2242                                             | 24.61                                                     | 1710                                              | 32.19                                                    |
| 4.    | Financial Assistance for the Preservation and Development of Cultural Heritage of the Himalayas             | 225                                              | 4.68                                                   | 149                                              | 2.93                                                      | 48                                                | 0.87                                                     |
| 5.    | Financial Assistance for the Development of Buddhist/ Tibetan Culture &Art                                  | 401                                              | 26.01                                                  | 330                                              | 15.57                                                     | 392                                               | 22.40                                                    |
| 6.    | Financial Assistance for Building Grants including Studio Theatres                                          | 21                                               | 1.23                                                   | 15                                               | 1.08                                                      | 23                                                | 1.51                                                     |
| 7.    | Fair and Festival                                                                                           | -                                                | 7.62                                                   | -                                                | 21.49                                                     | -                                                 | 2.96                                                     |
| 8.    | Scheme for the Award of Fellowship to Outstanding Persons in the Field of Culture                           | 980                                              | 13.63                                                  | 1141                                             | 11.19                                                     | 928                                               | 11.89                                                    |
| 9.    | Scheme for Scholarships to Young Artistes in Different                                                      | 395                                              | 1.19                                                   | 1507                                             | 4.52                                                      | 1077                                              | 3.25                                                     |

|    | Cultural Fields                                                          |      |       |      |       |      |       |
|----|--------------------------------------------------------------------------|------|-------|------|-------|------|-------|
| 10 | Tagore National Fellowship for Cultural Research                         | -    | -     |    6 |  0.35 | 19   |  1.05 |
| 11 | Financial Assistance for construction of Tagore Cultural Complexes (TCC) | 1    | 5.00  |    4 | 15.56 | 1*   |  3    |
| 12 | Financial Assistance for Veteran Artists                                 | 3651 | 18.59 | 3811 | 28.96 | 4636 | 26.09 |
| 13 | Seva Bhoj Yojana                                                         | 3    | 1.43  |    2 |  1.46 | 3    |  1.45 |

* Pursuant to the instructions issued by Department of Expenditure regarding revised procedure for flow of funds under Central Sector Schemes and implementation of Central Nodal Agency (CNA) module, the  financial  assistance  under  this  scheme  was  released  through  Central  Nodal Agency  Module  of payment to the selected grantee organizations.

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