Question : SETTING UP OF AUDITORIUM

(a) the number of applications/proposals received by the Union Government since July, 2004 till date for setting up of auditoriums in the country particularly in Uttar Pradesh;

(b) the details of the applications/proposals out of them approved by the Government along with the amount sanctioned;

(c) the details of the applications out of them rejected along with the reasons therefore; and

(d) the details of the future schemes for which applications/proposals are to be called for by the Union Government and the amount proposed to be earmarked for the purpose?

MINISTER FOR INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND CULTURE ( SHRI S. JAIPAL REDDY)

(a) to (d) Ministry of Culture in the Government of India has been operating a Scheme for Building Grants to Cultural Organizations. The Ministry received 779 applications/ proposals from Voluntary Cultural Organizations for construction of buildings/auditoriums and purchase of equipments routed through State Government/U.T. Administration including 68 applications/proposals from Uttar Pradesh. Out of total 779 applications/ proposals received from all States/U.T. Administrations 224 proposals, including 9 proposals from Uttar Pradesh, amounting Rs.7,86,09,000/- have been approved for construction of building and purchase of equipments during current financial year i.e. 2004-05. The remaining proposals were scrutinized by an Expert Committee constituted for this purpose, but were not considered in the current year, for various reasons such as lack of complete documents or non fulfilment of the requirements of the Scheme.

The scheme is annually advertised inviting applications/ proposals from Voluntary Cultural Organizations through their State Government/U.T. Administration for grant. Ministry of Culture has proposed a sum of Rs.5.00 crores to be earmarked for this Scheme for the year 2005-06.