‘Scheme of Financial Assistance for the Preservation and Development of Cultural Heritage of the Himalayas’ protects and preserves the cultural heritage of Himalayan region

Why is it in news?

Under this scheme, financial assistance is provided to the Voluntary Organizations including Colleges and Universities for study and research on cultural heritage, preservation of old manuscripts, literature, art & crafts and documentation of cultural activities/ events like music & dance,  dissemination through audio-visual programmes of art and culture and training in traditional and folk art. 

Highlights

·       Ministry of Culture administers a financial grant scheme by the name of ‘Scheme of Financial Assistance for the Preservation and Development of Cultural Heritage of the Himalayas’ for the purpose of promoting, protecting and preserving the cultural heritage of Himalayan region spreading in Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh and States of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh through research, documentation, dissemination etc.

·       The quantum of funding is Rs.10.00 lakhs per year for an organization. 

·       The Expert Advisory Committee (EAC) on the scheme is empowered to recommend the amount beyond the maximum limit but not exceeding Rs.30.00 lakhs from this scheme. 

·       The said scheme is a Central Sector Scheme and no funds are released directly to the State Governments. 

·       Ministry of Culture administers a specific Financial Grant Scheme by the name of  ‘Scheme of Financial Assistance for the Development of Buddhist/ Tibetan Culture and Art’  to give financial assistance to the voluntary Buddhist/Tibetan organizations including Monasteries engaged in the propagation and scientific development of Buddhist/Tibetan culture, tradition and research in related fields. This scheme is applicable throughout the country including the Himalayan Region. 

The information was given by Minister of Culture, Tourism And Development Of North Eastern Region Shri G. Kishan Reddy in Lok Sabha.