Lok Sabha Question No. 184 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-22
Subject: Promotion of Classical Languages
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Adv. Adoor Prakash

## 184. Adv. Adoor Prakash:

Will the Minister of Culture be please to state:

- (a)  the details of classical languages in the country and the year in which these languages conferred the status of classical language;
- (b)  whether the Government has provided funds for the promotion of classical languages, if so, the details thereof languages, if so, the details thereof languages-wise since it gets the status;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  has  received  any  proposal  regarding  the  classical  language  projects  of Malayalam language during last five years, if so, the details thereof and the status thereof; and
- (d)  whether the Government has any plan to provide more funds for the promotion of Malayalam language, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MIINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 184 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.07.2024

## PROMOTION OF CLASSICAL LANGUAGES

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

- (a)  Six  Indian  languages  namely  Tamil,  Sanskrit,  Kannada,  Telugu,  Malayalam  and  Odia  have  been accorded the status of Classical Language. The year in which these languages conferred the status of classical language is as given below :
- (b)  The  policy  of  the  Government  is  to  promote  all  Indian  languages  including  classical  languages.  The National  Education  Policy,  2020  focuses  on  promotion  of  all  Indian  Languages.  Central  Institute  of Indian  Languages  (CIIL)  works  for  the  promotion  of  all  Indian  languages  including  four  classical languages viz. Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam and Odia. Development and promotion of Classical Tamil is done by Central Institute of Classical Tamil (CICT). The Government of India is promoting Sanskrit Language through three Central Universities. Funds are provided to these universities for teaching and research  in  Sanskrit  language  leading  to  award  of  degree,  diploma,  certificate  to  students  and  no separate  funds  are  provided  for  undertaking  any  work  related  to  classical  aspect  of  Sanskrit.  The details  of  funds  provided  for  various  classical  languages  for  the  last  10  years  may  be  seen  at Annexure-A.
- (c)  & (d): No proposal has been received in respect of Classical language projects in respect of Classical Malayalam language.

| Classical Language   | Date of Notification   |
|----------------------|------------------------|
| Tamil                | 12.10.2004             |
| Sanskrit             | 25.11.2005             |
| Kannada              | 31.10.2008             |
| Telugu               | 31.10.2008             |
| Malayalam            | 08.08.2013             |
| Odia                 | 11.03.2014             |

Annexure - A

Budget grant sanctioned to Classical languages (Rs. In Lakhs)

| Year    |   Kannada |   Telugu | Odia   | Malayalam   |   Tamil |
|---------|-----------|----------|--------|-------------|---------|
| 2014-15 |    100    |   100    |        |             |    8.8  |
| 2015-16 |    100    |   100    |        |             |   11.89 |
| 2016-17 |    100    |   100    |        |             |    5.02 |
| 2017-18 |    100    |   100    |        |             |   10.27 |
| 2018-19 |     99    |   100    |        |             |    5.46 |
| 2019-20 |    107    |   107    |        |             |    9.83 |
| 2020-21 |    108    |   147    | 8.00   | 8.00        | 1200    |
| 2021-22 |    106.5  |   103    | 58.38  | 63.97       | 1200    |
| 2022-23 |    171.75 |   171.75 | 176.75 | 186.75      | 1200    |
| 2023-24 |    154.5  |   154.5  | 138.50 | 112.50      | 1525    |