Jammu Kashmir Gets Rs 215.66 Lakh Under Guru-Shishya Scheme | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: The Union Government has implemented a wide range of Central Sector cultural schemes in Jammu and Kashmir over the past five years, with financial assistance extended to artists, institutions and cultural initiatives under programmes such as the Kala Sanskriti Vikas Yojana and allied missions, the Rajya Sabha was informed.

Replying to a question by Ghulam Ali, Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said the Ministry of Culture has been implementing multiple schemes in the Union Territory aimed at promoting, preserving and documenting both tangible and intangible heritage.

Key schemes operational in Jammu and Kashmir include the Kala Sanskriti Vikas Yojana (KSVY), National Mission on Libraries, National Mission on Cultural Mapping, Museum Grant Scheme and the recently launched Gyan Bharatam Mission. The National Afforestation Programme does not fall under the Ministry of Culture’s purview, while cultural mapping and manuscript preservation have been given renewed focus through digital initiatives.

Under the Kala Sanskriti Vikas Yojana — an umbrella programme for cultural promotion — financial assistance has been provided through several sub-schemes supporting theatre groups, musicians, dancers, scholars and cultural organisations. These include grants for Guru-Shishya Parampara, cultural events, scholarships, fellowships, infrastructure creation and assistance to veteran artists.

Data shared by the government shows that under the Guru-Shishya Parampara (Repertory Grant), 27 beneficiaries received Rs 215.66 lakh in 2024–25, compared to 37 beneficiaries receiving Rs 118.2 lakh in 2023–24 and 15 beneficiaries receiving Rs 120.8 lakh in 2022–23. Similarly, under the Cultural Function and Production Grant, 30 beneficiaries received Rs 36.37 lakh in 2024–25, while 49 beneficiaries received Rs 33.76 lakh in 2023–24 and 52 beneficiaries received Rs 50.33 lakh in 2022–23.

Funding has also been extended for preservation of Himalayan cultural heritage, with Rs 34 lakh disbursed to 11 beneficiaries in 2022–23, though allocations declined in subsequent years. Support for Buddhist and Tibetan cultural preservation saw Rs 33.50 lakh disbursed to five beneficiaries in 2024–25.

In addition, two projects received Rs 10 lakh under the Building Grants including Studio Theatre Scheme in 2024–25, marking a push towards cultural infrastructure development in the Union Territory.

The government also highlighted continued support for individual artists through fellowships and scholarships. Under the fellowship scheme for outstanding persons in culture, 13 beneficiaries received Rs 11.40 lakh in 2024–25, while eight young artistes received Rs 2.40 lakh under scholarship programmes during the same period.

The Ministry noted that, as these are Central Sector Schemes, there is no provision for state or district-wise allocation of funds. However, projects and beneficiaries are spread across the Union Territory through institutions, cultural bodies and individual practitioners.

On safeguarding heritage, the government said institutions such as Zonal Cultural Centres and the Sangeet Natak Akademi regularly organise festivals and cultural programmes involving folk, tribal and traditional artists. These initiatives aim to provide platforms for artists while ensuring preservation and transmission of cultural traditions.

The National Mission on Cultural Mapping, through its ‘Mera Gaon Meri Dharohar’ initiative, is documenting village-level cultural assets in Jammu and Kashmir on a digital platform, while the Gyan Bharatam Mission is working towards digitisation and preservation of manuscripts, with institutions in both Jammu and Srinagar participating.

The government said these interventions collectively aim to strengthen cultural infrastructure, promote artistic talent and preserve the diverse cultural heritage of Jammu and Kashmir through sustained institutional and financial support.