(a) whether the Government is taking any steps to promote the rich cultural heritage of Uttar Pradesh;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the steps being taken by the Government to encourage the folk artists of Uttar Pradesh;
(d) whether the Government is promoting/proposes to promote the local folk songs and folk dances of Uttar Pradesh across the country; and
(e) if so, the details thereof along with the funds spent in this regard during the last three years and the current year?
MINISTER OF STATE (I/C) FOR CULTURE AND
MINISTER OF STATE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST & CLIMATE CHANGE
(DR. MAHESH SHARMA)
(a) to (e) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 198 FOR 1ST JANUARY, 2018
(a) & (b) Yes, Madam. To protect, preserve & promote various forms of art and rich cultural heritage throughout the country including Uttar Pradesh, the Government of India has set up seven Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs) with headquarters at Patiala, Nagpur, Udaipur, Allahabad, Kolkata, Dimapur and Thanjavur. These ZCCs organize cultural activities and programmes on regular basis all over the India. Annual grant-in-aid is provided to all these 7 ZCCs by Government of India for carrying out these activities.
(c) To encourage the folk artists of the country including Uttar Pradesh, the ZCCs engage folk artists for several programmes and events for which they are paid TA/DA, honorarium, boarding & lodging etc.
(d) & (e) Yes, Madam. The North Central Zone Cultural Centre (NCZCC), Allahabad, an autonomous organization under Ministry of Culture, organizes various cultural activities and programmes relating to folk songs and folk dances of Uttar Pradesh across the country. The funds spent in this regard during the last three years and the current year are as under:
(Rs. in lakh)
Sl. No. Year Amount
i. 2014-15 50.85
ii. 2015-16 55.77
iii. 2016-17 52.03
iv. 2017-18 29.25
(on-going)