Lok Sabha Question No. 227 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-04-25
Subject: Intangible Cultural Heritage of India Scheme
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: J. JAYASINGH THIYAGARAJ NATTERJEE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA UNTARRED QUESTION NO.227 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.04.2016

## Intangible Cultural Heritage of India Scheme

## 227.   SHRI J.J.T. NATTERJEE:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Intangible Cultural Heritage  (ICH) of India scheme has been progressing successfully;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  any  mechanism  to  offer  financial support to individuals,  groups  and cultural  organizations  engaged  in visual and literary arts;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the details of funds allocated and utilized in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR CULTURE & TOURISM AND MINISTER OF STATE FOR CIVIL AVIATION (DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

- (a) & (b)      Yes Madam.  Since its inception during 2013-14, the Scheme for Safeguarding the Intangible Cultural Heritage and Diverse Cultural Traditions of India, being implemented through the Sangeet Natak Akademi, has been receiving encouraging response. Under the scheme,  around 200-300 applications are received every year. Under the scheme, a grant upto Rs.10 lakhs is given to the eligible individuals/ cultural organisations to accomplish their  programmes/  events.      Accordingly,  out  of  the  total  234  applications during 2013-14, 228 applications during 2014-15 and 278 applications during 2015-16,  a  total  of  75,  137  and  114  eligible  applicants  respectively  were provided grants under the scheme.
- (c) to (e) Yes Madam.  The Ministry of Culture is giving financial support to Individuals, Non-Government Organizations (NGOs), Cultural Organizations for  promotion  of  art  and  culture  through  various  schemes.  The  details  of some prominent Schemes are as under:
- (i) Cultural  Function  and  Production  Grant  Scheme  (CFPGS):Under CFPGS Scheme Financial Assistance is given to 'Not-for-Profit' Organisations, NGOs including Societies, Trusts, Universities and Individuals

for holding Conferences, Seminar, Workshops, Festivals, Exhibitions, Production of Dance, Drama-Theatre, Music and undertaking small research projects etc. on any art forms/important cultural matters relating to different aspects of Indian Culture. The quantum of assistance is restricted to 75% of the project  cost  subject  to  maximum  of  Rs.  5  Lakhs  per  project  as recommended by the Expert Committee.  The amount utilized in 2015-16 is Rs.1459.00 Lakhs.

## (ii) Fellowship Scheme:

- a) Award  of  Fellowship  to  outstanding  persons  in  the  field  of Culture:- 200 Junior Fellowships and 200 Senior Fellowships are given every year under this Scheme for cultural research in various fields of culture. Junior Fellows are given an amount of Rs. 10,000/- and Senior Fellows are given an amount of Rs. 20,000/- per month for a period of 2 years.
- b) Award  of  Scholarship  to  Young  Artistes  in  Different  Cultural fields:-Under  this  Scheme,  400  Scholarships  are  given  to  Young Artistes  for  advance  training  in  the  field  of  Indian  Classical  Music, Dance, Theatre, Visual Arts, Folk Arts, etc. An amount of Rs. 5,000/per month is given to the selected artists for a period of 2 years.

The amount utilized under fellowship scheme in 2015-16 is Rs.1835.00 Lakhs.

(iii) Tagore National Fellowship for Cultural Research:- The Scheme has been  introduced  in order 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.  Not more than 15 Tagore Fellowships and 25 Tagore Scholarships are selected for award  in  a  year.  Tagore  fellows  are  paid  honorarium  of  Rs.  80,000/-  per month and Tagore Scholars are paid honorarium of Rs. 50,000/- per month for a period of 2 years. The amount utilized in 2015-16 is Rs.44.12 Lakhs.

(iv)  Scheme for Safeguarding the Intangible Cultural Heritage and Diverse Cultural Traditions of India:-    The scheme aims to reinvigorate and revitalize various institutions, groups, individuals,  non-government organizations, researchers and  scholars so that they may  engage  in activities/projects  for  strengthening,  protecting,  preserving  and  promoting the rich intangible cultural heritage of India. In its 3 rd year of implementation,  an  amount  of  Rs.240  Lakhs  were  released  under  the scheme.