MP Arora pushes Central Government for Cultural Events of National Level in Punjab

Ludhiana, December 26, 2024: To spread awareness about India’s culture and heritage among youth of the country, Ministry of Culture organised Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsavs (RSMs) through its Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs) where a large number of artists from all over India are engaged to showcase their talents during these Mahotsavs. Up-till now, 14 RSMs and 4 Zonal Level RSMs have been organised in the country by the Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India.

This has been stated by Minister of Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in answer to questions on ` Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav’ asked by MP (Rajya Sabha) from Ludhiana Sanjeev Arora in the recently concluded winter session of Rajya Sabha. 

In a statement here today, Arora said the Minister in his answer also provided some data about the grant-in-aid released to organise RSMs and Zonal Level RSMs from 2019-20 to 2023-24, which indicates that the amount of grant-in-aid increased by 258.91% during FY 2023-24 compared to FY 2019-20. The year wise detail of the grant-in-aid released is as under: 2019-20: Rs.996 lakh, 2020-21: Rs.694.68 lakh, 2021-22: Rs.916.60 lakh, 2022-23: Rs.2358.62 lakh and 2023-24: Rs.3575.12 lakh. 

As per the available information, RSMs were held at Madhya Pradesh (Jabalpur, Sagar and Rewa), West Bengal (Cooch Behar, Darjeeling and Murshidabad), Andhra Pradesh (Rajahmundry) and Telangana (Warangal & Hyderabad), Maharashtra (Mumbai) and Rajasthan (Bikaner) and Zonal Level RSMs were held at Rajasthan (Kota), Delhi (Central Park), Maharashtra (Pune) and Telangana (Hyderabad) from the year 2019 till this year. However, there is no mention of RSM and Zonal Level RSMs in Punjab. 

Further, the Minister mentioned in his answer that National Culture Fund (NCF) is a Trust under the Charitable Endowment Act, 1890 through a Notification published in the Gazette of India on 28th November, 1996. Resources are mobilized through Public Private Partnership (PPP) towards promoting, protecting and preserving India’s Cultural Heritage both tangible and intangible. NCF receives CSR funding/ donations/ individual contributions for conservation and maintenance of historical monuments in the country. The activities of NCF relate to protection of national heritage, art and culture including restoration of buildings and sites of historical importance, works of art, setting up of public libraries, promotion and development of traditional arts and handicrafts.

The Minister added in his answer that the RSMs and Zonal Level RSMs are organised through Zonal Cultural Centres under the Ministry of Culture for which grant-in-aid is released to them. A donor/ sponsor while making a contribution to the NCF indicates a project alongwith a specific location/ aspect and also an agency for execution of the project.

Meanwhile, Arora said states like Punjab, which have a rich and vibrant cultural heritage, should not be overlooked in the planning process for such events. Punjab's contributions to India's cultural landscape, including its traditions, music, dance, and cuisine, make it a vital part of the nation's diversity.