MINISTER OF HOUSING AND POVERTY ALLEVIATION AND MINISTER OF CULTURE
(KUMARI SELJA)
(a): The Government has set up seven Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs)
for preservation, promotion and dissemination of the traditional folk
arts and culture in the country. The ZCCs have been carrying out various
activities and organizing programmes at the national, zonal and local
levels in accordance with their aims and objectives.
(b)& (c): Government of India, Ministry of Culture provides financial
assistance to artists, including folk artistes, in indigent circumstances
under the scheme of âFinancial Assistance to Persons distinguished in Letters,
Arts and such other walks of life who may be in indigent circumstances and
their dependentsâ. Assistance of Rs. 4000/- per month is given to those
benefitted under Central Quota and of Rs. 3500/- per month to those covered
under Central-State Quota and receiving an assistance of Rs. 500/- per month
from the concerned State Government.
In addition, financial assistance is also provided to promising/outstanding
artistes, including folk artistes, under the following Schemes:
(i) âScholarships to Young Artistes in Different Cultural Fieldsâ. Under
this Scheme 400 scholarships of the value of Rs. 5000/-each p.m. are provided
every year for a period of two years.
(ii) âFellowships to Outstanding persons in the field of Cultureâ. Under
this scheme 200 senior fellowships of the value of Rs. 20,000/- each per month
and 200 junior fellowships of the value of Rs. 10,000/- each per month are
provided every year for a period of two years.
(d) & (e): There is a proposal to set up a Cultural Centre for Gujjars,
Bakarwals and Pahari Speaking Communities of Jammu and Kashmir.