Lokprasar Prakalpo Scheme

Description
The scheme “Lokprasar Prakalpo Scheme” was launched by the Department of Information & Cultural Affairs, Government of West Bengal in 2014 to revive the Folk and Tribal Culture in their respective genre across various zones and districts in the State. The scheme is primarily for the financially distressed rural Folk Artists as identified under the laid out procedure to enlist and ensure them with alternative economic support along with scope to further their domain folk culture hence preserving the cultural heritage of different parts of Bengal. The main objectives of the scheme are – 1. To bestow dignity on folk artists by issuing them identity cards 2. To uphold the traditional folk forms of Bengal 3. To revive nearly extinct folk forms of art and culture 4. To uplift the socio-economic conditions of artists associated with folk culture

Benefits
• Issuing identity cards to each folk artiste.
• Under the scheme, the veteran and distressed folk-artistes who are above 60 years of age will get a monthly pension of ₹1000/-.
• The enlisted folk artists under the age of 60 years, who are engaged in publicity campaigns in different departments, have been receiving ₹1000/- per month as a retainer fee.
• The state government will arrange the minimum income for folk artists by engaging them in the public campaign programme on development projects such as Kannyasree, Yubasree, Sikshasree, etc. and programmes like Nirmal Bangla, Sarbo Sikhsa Avijan, etc.
• Performance Fees: Performance-based fees @₹1000/- per head per day as and when engaged to perform their own genre mostly at any Government programme like fair/festival/Krishi Mela/Sabala Mela, etc.

Eligibility Criteria
1. - The applicant may have a lineage or belong to a family practicing a given folk form or may belong to a tribal cultural/dance team or a folk-based instrumentalist as recognized by the Folk & Tribal Cultural Centre.
2. - The applicant must be between 18 to 60 years.
3. - The applicants above 60 years will be eligible for pension.
4. - The applicant must be a resident of West Bengal.

Application Process
Step 1: Step 01: For taking benefit of this scheme, the applicant needs to contact their district Information & Cultural Affairs Department.
Offline
Step 01: For taking benefit of this scheme, the applicant needs to contact their district Information & Cultural Affairs Department.

Step 2: Step 02: The Department of Information & Cultural Affairs publishes notifications in various vernacular newspapers from time to time in order to impanel the Folk artists through auditions in different phases held at the district.
Offline
Step 02: The Department of Information & Cultural Affairs publishes notifications in various vernacular newspapers from time to time in order to impanel the Folk artists through auditions in different phases held at the district.

Step 3: Step 03: Interested and eligible Folk artists may apply in the prescribed format for the necessary selection procedure.
Offline
Step 03: Interested and eligible Folk artists may apply in the prescribed format for the necessary selection procedure.

Step 4: Step 04: After successful verification, the applicant can avail the benefit of the scheme.
Offline
Step 04: After successful verification, the applicant can avail the benefit of the scheme.

Required Documents
• Identity proof i.e. Aadhaar Card, Voter ID card, etc.
• Passport size photographs
• Bank Account number/ front page of the passbook
• Address proof
• Achievement/honour certificates
• Any other documents, as asked by the concerned Department

Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the objective of the scheme?
A: The main objectives of the scheme are - (1) to bestow dignity on folk artists by issuing them identity cards, (2) to uphold the traditional folk forms of Bengal, (3) to revive nearly-extinct folk forms of art and culture and (4) to uplift the socio-economic conditions of artists associated with folk culture.

Q: By which department was this scheme launched?
A: Information & Cultural Affairs Department, West Bengal

Q: When was this scheme launched?
A: This scheme was launched in 2014.

Q: Who is eligible under this scheme?
A: The applicant who has a lineage or belongs to a family practicing a given folk form or may belong to a tribal cultural/dance team or a folk-based instrumentalist as recognized by the Folk & Tribal Cultural Centre.

Q: Is this scheme only for a resident of West Bengal?
A: Yes, the beneficiary must be a permanent resident of West Bengal and must possess identity and residential proof including Aadhaar Card.

Q: Will an identity card be issued to each folk artiste?
A: Yes, an identity card will be issued to each folk artiste.

Q: To whom will the pension be given under the scheme?
A: Under the scheme, the veteran and distressed folk-artistes who are above 60 years of age will get a monthly pension of [?]1000/-.

Q: Who is eligible to get a retainer fee?
A: The enlisted folk artists under the age of 60 years, who are engaged in publicity campaigns in different departments, have been receiving [?]1000/- per month as a retainer fee.

Q: How will the government arrange a source of income for the folk artists?
A: The state government will arrange the minimum income for folk artists by engaging them in the public campaign programme on development projects such as Kannyasree, Yubasree, Sikshasree, etc. and programmes like Nirmal Bangla, Sarbo Sikhsa Avijan, etc.

Q: How much government will pay the folk artist for performing in the Government programme?
A: Performance fees @[?]1000/- per head per day as and when engaged to perform their own genre mostly at any Government programme like fair/festival/ Krishi Mela/Sabala Mela, etc.

Q: How can I apply for the scheme?
A: The Department of Information & Cultural Affairs publishes notifications in various vernacular newspapers from time to time in order to impanel the Folk artists through auditions in different phases held at the district. Interested and eligible Folk artists may then apply in the prescribed format for the necessary selection procedure.