Question :

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:-

(a) the details regarding recently signed MoU between the Ministry and Canara Bank for
financial assistance to artists;

(b) the specific financial assistance programs or schemes included in the MoU signed
between the Ministry and Canara Bank;

(c) the manner in which these initiatives will be implemented and the criteria that will be
used to determine eligibility for artists seeking financial support;

(d) the expected outcomes or targets set under the MoU in terms of the number of
artists to be assisted and the amount of financial aid allocated;

(e) the measures that will be taken to ensure transparency and efficient utilization of
funds allocated under this collaboration?

ANSWER :

MINISTER OF CULTURE, TOURISM AND DEVELOPMENT OF
NORTH-EASTERN REGION
(SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

(a)&(b) An MoU has been signed between the Ministry and Canara Bank on 28.06.2023
for disbursal of financial assistance to the selected beneficiaries under the “Scheme
for Financial Assistance for Veteran Artists” earlier known as “Scheme for Pension
and Medical Aid to Artists”.

(c) As per the MoU, master data of selected beneficiaries both for fresh as well as
legacy data is to be uploaded by the Ministry in the online portal to be developed by
the Canara Bank for this purpose. Based on the scheme guidelines Canara Bank is
required to work out the quarterly requirement of funds and raise the demand for the
same to the Ministry. Upon receipt of demand of funds from Canara Bank, the same
will be released in advance on quarterly basis by the Ministry to the Bank for
releasing the same on monthly basis to the eligible beneficiaries. An artist aged 60
years and above who have contributed in the field of art and culture in their active
age and whose annual income is not more than Rs. 48,000/- can apply under the
scheme either through Art & Culture Department of concerned State Government/UT
or Zonal Cultural Center.

(d) Release of financial assistance on monthly basis to the eligible beneficiaries is one of
the main objectives of the MoU entered with Canara Bank. Under this scheme an
amount of Rs. 26.00 crore has been allocated in B.E. for the year 2023-24.

(e) To ensure transparency and efficient utilization of funds, the scheme guidelines
provides for direct transfer of amount to the account of selected beneficiaries.