Question : Development of Cultural Centres

(a) whether the Government has set up/proposes to set up various cultural centres in order to create awareness among the people about the rich cultural heritage of our country and if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise including Maharashtra;

(b) the State/UT-wise details of the development of cultural centres in the country including Maharashtra;

(c) the details of the financial assistance provided to these cultural centres during the last three years and the current year, State/UT-wise including Maharashtra; and

(d) the steps taken/being taken by the Government for development of more such centres to encourage traditional art, crafts and culture in the country particularly in Maharashtra?

MINISTER OF STATE (I/C) FOR CULTURE AND
MINISTER OF STATE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST & CLIMATE CHANGE

(DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

(a) & (b) To create awareness among the people about the rich cultural heritage of our country including Maharashtra, the Government of India has set up seven Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs) with headquarters at Patiala, Nagpur, Udaipur, Prayagraj (Allahabad), Kolkata, Dimapur and Thanjavur.

(c) No funds are provided directly to States/UTs. However, annual grant-in-aid is provided to all the ZCCs for organizing various cultural activities/ programmes in their member States including Maharashtra. The grant-in-aid provided to the ZCCs during the last three years and current year is as under:

(Rs. in lakh)
Sl. No. Year Amount
i. 2015-16 6834.33
ii. 2016-17 6085.07
iii. 2017-18 4689.71
iv. 2018-19 3862.00
(as on date)

(d) Since the ZCCs are adequately catering to the needs of all the States/UTs in the country including Maharashtra, there is no proposal under consideration of the Government of India for development of more such centres in the country.