(a) whether the Government has prepared any database of such Indian languages which are on the verge of extinction;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the steps taken or proposed to be taken by the Government for conservation of such languages along with the funds allotted/earmarked for the purpose?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
(DR. SUBHAS SARKAR)
(a) & (b) : The policy of the Government is to promote all Indian Languages including endangered languages. The Government of India has initiated a Scheme known as “Scheme for Protection and Preservation of Endangered Languages of India” (SPPEL). Under this Scheme, the Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL), Mysore works on protection, preservation and documentation of all the mother tongues/languages of India spoken by less than 10,000 people which are called endangered languages. 117 endangered languages/mother tongues have been chosen from all over India for study and documentation on a priority basis by CIIL.
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has also initiated two schemes for protection of endangered languages, namely ‘Funding Support to the State Universities for Study and Research in Indigenous and Endangered languages in India’ and ‘Establishment of Centres for Endangered Languages in Central Universities’.
(c): An amount of Rs.48.90 crores released by the UGC and CIIL under their schemes for protection of endangered Indian languages during the years 2015-16 to 2021-22.
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