21-Mar-2022: Ministry of Culture implements financial assistance for the Preservation and Development of Cultural Heritage of the Himalayas

Ministry of Culture implements a financial grant scheme known as 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 Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, Union Territory of Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh through research, documentation, dissemination, etc.. 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. 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 number of proposals received from the Himalayan States during the last three years under the Scheme of Financial Assistance for the Preservation and Development of Cultural Heritage of the Himalayas are given as under: 

The Scheme of Financial Assistance for the Preservation and Development of Cultural Heritage of the Himalayas is a financial grant Scheme administered by the Ministry of Culture specifically for preservation and development of Cultural heritage of the Himalayan States/Union Territories including Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, Union Territory of Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. The said scheme is a Central Sector Scheme and no funds are released directly to the State Governments. However, the details of State-wise funds released to the Non-Governmental Organizations under the scheme of Financial Assistance for the Preservation and Development of Cultural Heritage of the Himalayas has increased to 4,73,47,640/-(Rs.in Lakhs) in 2021-2022 as compared to 2020-2021 which is 3,36,00,000/- (Rs.in Lakhs).