Question : THEATRE REJUVENATION PROGRAMME

(a) whether the Government has any plan to focus on theatre rejuvenation programme particularly in the rural areas of the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government in this regard along with the present cultural policy of the Government in this regard;

(c) whether the Government has abolished the `Theatre` Head in its present budget;

(d) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and

(e) the criteria adopted for the nomenclature of different cultural Committees and different cultural institutions constituted from time-to-time under the Ministry?

MINISTER OF STATE (I/C) FOR CULTURE AND TOURISM AND MINISTER OF STATE FOR CIVIL AVIATION (DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

(a) Yes, Madam.

(b) The Government of India has set up seven Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs) having their headquarters at Patiala, Udaipur, Allahabad, Kolkata, Dimapur, Nagpur and Thanjavur. The main objectives of the ZCCs are the preservation, promotion and dissemination of the traditional folk arts and culture of the various States/Union Territories. The ZCCs have been carrying out various activities and programmes at the national, zonal and local levels in accordance with their aims and objectives implemented through various schemes including Theatre Rejuve- nation Scheme. The ZCCs have documented 547 art forms in audio, video and print forms till 31.03.2014.

(c) No, Madam.

(d) The Government of India provides annual Plan Grants-in-aid to ZCCs for implementation of various schemes including Theatre Rejuvenation Scheme.

(e) The cultural committees and institutions have been/are given their nomenclature depending upon the functions and activities carried out by them.