Sarkari Yojana

Lokprasar Prakalpo Scheme

West Bengal
Quick Summary: West Bengal's Lokprasar Prakalpo Scheme, launched in 2014, gives rural folk artists identity cards, a ₹1000/- monthly retainer or pension, and performance fees of ₹1000/- per day to keep Bengal's folk traditions alive.

About Lokprasar Prakalpo Scheme

The Department of Information & Cultural Affairs, Government of West Bengal, launched the “Lokprasar Prakalpo Scheme” in 2014 to breathe new life into Folk and Tribal Culture of every genre across the State’s zones and districts. It mainly serves financially struggling rural Folk Artists, identified through a set procedure, by enlisting them and giving them alternative economic support along with opportunities to advance their folk art, thereby preserving the cultural heritage of different parts of Bengal. Its key aims are – 1. Giving folk artists dignity through identity cards 2. Preserving Bengal’s traditional folk forms 3. Reviving folk art and cultural forms that are close to extinction 4. Improving the socio-economic standing of artists linked to folk culture

Scheme Overview

Government Level

State Government

Implementing Agency

Information And Cultural Affairs Department, West Bengal

Launch / Open Date

01 Jan 2014

Scheme Details

Eligibility

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for Lokprasar Prakalpo Scheme, applicants must satisfy the following conditions:

✅

Applicants may come from a lineage or family…

Applicants may come from a lineage or family that practises a particular folk form, or be part of a tribal cultural/dance team, or be a folk-based instrumentalist recognised by the Folk & Tribal Cultural Centre.

✅

Age should be from 18 to 60 years

Age should be from 18 to 60 years.

✅

Those older than 60 years qualify for pension

Those older than 60 years qualify for pension.

✅

Residence in West Bengal is required

Residence in West Bengal is required.

Applicants must meet all of the above conditions to be considered eligible for this scheme.
Benefits

Benefits Provided

Lokprasar Prakalpo Scheme provides the following benefits to eligible applicants:

✅

Every folk artiste is given an identity card

Every folk artiste is given an identity card.

💰

Veteran and distressed folk-artistes aged over 60 years…

Veteran and distressed folk-artistes aged over 60 years receive ₹1000/- per month as pension.

💰

Enlisted folk artists below 60 years who take…

Enlisted folk artists below 60 years who take part in publicity campaigns of various departments have been getting a retainer fee of ₹1000/- per month.

✅

By involving folk artists in public campaigns for…

By involving folk artists in public campaigns for development projects like Kannyasree, Yubasree, Sikshasree, etc. and programmes such as Nirmal Bangla, Sarbo Sikhsa Avijan, etc., the state government ensures them a minimum income.

💰

Performance Fees

Performance Fees: Whenever engaged to perform their own genre, mostly at Government programmes such as a fair/festival/Krishi Mela/Sabala Mela, etc., artists are paid @₹1000/- per head per day.

Benefit amounts and conditions may vary by category — refer to the official scheme guidelines for exact figures applicable to your case.
Documents Required

Documents Required

Applicants should keep the following documents ready before starting the application:

📄

Proof of identity, for example Aadhaar Card, Voter…

Proof of identity, for example Aadhaar Card, Voter ID card, etc.

📄

Photographs of passport size

Photographs of passport size

✅

Bank Account number or the passbook's front page

Bank Account number or the passbook's front page

📄

Proof of address

Proof of address

✅

Certificates of achievements/honours

Certificates of achievements/honours

✅

Other documents the concerned Department may request

Other documents the concerned Department may request

Ensure all documents are valid and, where required, duly attested before submitting your application.
Important Dates

2014-01-01

How to Apply

Offline Application

Applicants can apply for Lokprasar Prakalpo Scheme through the offline application process outlined below.

1️⃣

Get in touch with the district office of…

Get in touch with the district office of the Information & Cultural Affairs Department to benefit from this scheme.

2️⃣

From time to time, the Department of Information…

From time to time, the Department of Information & Cultural Affairs issues notices in vernacular newspapers to empanel Folk artists through district-level auditions held in phases.

3️⃣

Eligible Folk artists who are interested can apply…

Eligible Folk artists who are interested can apply in the prescribed format and go through the selection procedure.

4️⃣

The scheme's benefits become available once verification is…

The scheme's benefits become available once verification is successful.

Ensure all required documents are ready before starting the application process.

Official Application & Website

Verify the latest eligibility, dates and instructions before applying.

Official Sources & References