Lok Sabha Question No. 22 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-07-18
Subject: Projects for Classical Languages
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: ANTO  ANTONY

## 22. SHRI ANTO ANTONY:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the languages in the country which have been granted the status of classic language;
- (b) whether the Government is implementing any financial assistance scheme for supporting various projects for the classical languages;
- (c) if so, the details thereof including the amount granted to each classical language during each of the last three years, year-wise and amount-wise;
- (d) whether  the  Government  has  received  any  proposal  regarding  the  projects  related  to  classical language during the last three years; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and the response of the Government thereto?

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

## ANSWER

- (a): Tamil, Sanskrit, Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam and Odia languages have been granted the status of classical languages so far.
- (b)&(c):   Yes Madam. Regarding Classical Sanskrit, there are 3 Deemed to be Universities, fully funded by MHRD for promotion of Sanskrit. Of these three, Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan, Delhi has the schemes of Non-Formal Sanskrit Education, Financial Assistance to Sanskrit Dictionary Project, Financial  Assistance  to  Publications,  Financial  Assistance  to  Sanskrit  Teaching,  Seminars, Fellowships  etc.  Regarding  Classical  Tamil,  Central  Institute  of  Classical  Tamil,  Chennai  has been  providing  financial  assistance  for  the  scheme  of  Book  Publication,  Short  Term  Projects, Seminars, Training Programmes, Fellowships etc. Regarding Classical Kannada and Classical Telugu,  orientation  programmes  and  workshops  have  been  organized  after  the  Centres  of Excellence  of  these  respective  languages  were  taken  up  as  a  project  by  Central  Institute  of Indian Languages, Mysuru. The details of the funds allocated for the development and promotion of classical languages are as follows:
- (d)&(e):   Yes  Madam.  Proposals  from  State  Government  of  Karnataka,  Kerala  and  Odisha  have  been received for setting up of Centres of Excellence of studies in respective classical languages in their respective States and the State Governments have been requested to allot a suitable land/ built  up  space  for  setting  up  of  these  centres.  With  the  objective  to  promoting  classical languages, Presidential Awards are being given for scholars in Sanskrit & Tamil and from year 2016 onwards Presidential Awards are also instituted to Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Odia. UGC has agreed for setting up of the professional chairs in Indian Classical Languages namely, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Odia in Central Universities.

| Language/ year   | Funds Allocated (Rs. In lakh)   | Funds Allocated (Rs. In lakh)   | Funds Allocated (Rs. In lakh)   |
|------------------|---------------------------------|---------------------------------|---------------------------------|
|                  | 2013-14                         | 2014-15                         | 2015-16                         |
| Sanskrit         | 20886.98                        | 21281.00                        | 16917.39                        |
| Tamil            | 900.00                          | 800.00                          | 1195.00                         |
| Kannada          | 218.00                          | 100.00                          | 100.00                          |
| Telugu           | 218.00                          | 100.00                          | 100.00                          |

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## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 22 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.07.2016

## PROJECTS FOR CLASSICAL LANGUAGES