(a) whether the Government has any proposal to set up Regional Centre of National School of Drama at various places in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof along with the locations identified for setting up of these centres and the time by which they are likely to be set up; and
(c) the amount allocated and expenditure incurred on Bharat Rang Mahotsava organized by the National School of Drama during the last three years?
MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR CULTURE & TOURISM AND MINISTER OF STATE FOR CIVIL AVIATION (DR. MAHESH SHARMA)
(a) & (b): There is no proposal of National School of Drama (NSD) pending with the Govt. of India for setting up of Regional Centers of NSD at various places in the country. Being an autonomous institution, NSD is fully competent to decide about setting up its Regional Centers at various places in the country. On the basis of the recommendations made by the Broad Based Committee for opening up of 5 regional centres across the country, NSD Society proposed to establish 5 regional centres one each at Kolkata, Mumbai/ Goa, J&K, North-East beside upgrading the existing Regional Resource Centre (RRC), Bengaluru to a full-fledged regional centre.
These regional centres were to be established in consultation with concerned State Governments, who were required to provide accommodation for the purpose. Only the Government of Karnataka has allotted land for the purpose at Bengaluru. NSD has started one year teaching training programme in the Bengaluru Chapter commencing from academic session 2014-15. In addition, under consolidation of Out-reach Programme in the North-East Region, NSD has opened its Centres in Sikkim and Tripura. The Government of Maharashtra has also agreed in principle to provide accommo- dation and a plot of land for opening of the NSD at Mumbai.
(c): No specific allocation is made for Bharat Rang Mahotsava. However, the expenditure incurred by the National School of Drama for organizing Bharat Rang Mahotsava during the last three financial years is as under:
Financial Expenditure year incurred
2012-13 Rs.6,08,52,000 2013-14 Rs.7,97,71,000 2014-15 Rs.7,82,56,000