Information & Cultural Affairs

Schemes under the Department:

1. Lok Prasar Prakalpa.
2. State Welfare Scheme for Purohit.
3. Maavoi.

About the Scheme: 

• Lok Prasar Prakalpa: The scheme launched in 2014 with an intent 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 scheme has two components:
  1. Pensioner & Retainer Fees: Assured monthly income of Rs 1000/- to all the enlisted Folk Artists.
  2. Performance Fees: Performance-based fees @Rs 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.

  At present 1691 Nos. of Folk Artistes are enlisted at Howrah under this scheme.

• State Welfare Scheme for Purohit: The State Welfare Scheme for Purohits was launched in September 2020 to benefit the financially distressed practicing temple /tribal purohit or priests of other communities like Christians, Jain, and Buddhists. The Scheme has mainly two components:
  1. Monthly financial assistance for such religious priests /purohits @ Rs. 1000/- per month. 
  2. Provision for Housing Scheme for economically backward purohits/priests.
• Maavoi:  It is a Medical Cost Reimbursement Benefit Scheme for Accredited Journalists and their immediate family members. 

Required Eligibility for applying the Schemes:

(a) Lok Prasar Prakalpa:

• 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.
• The applicant must be between 18 to 60 years.
• The applicants above 60 years will be eligible for pension. 
• The applicant must be a resident of the state. 

(b) State Welfare Scheme for Purohit:

• The applicant must be a financially distressed /economically backward practicing priest attached to any place of worship.
• The applicant must be a resident of the state on the date of application under the scheme.
• The applicant is not a beneficiary under any Social Security pension scheme or a recipient of Government pension or pension from any other organization.

(c) Maavoi:

• The applicant must be an Accredited Journalist in the district Howrah.

Method of Applying for the Schemes:

1. Lok Prasar Prakalpa: Since 2014 the Department of I & CA has published notification in various vernacular newspapers from time to time in order to impanel the Folk Artistes through audition in different phases held at the district. Interested and eligible Folk artists may then apply in the prescribed format for the necessary selection procedure.
2.  State Welfare Scheme for Purohit: The interested persons can collect and submit in the prescribed Annexure A  which can be downloaded from https://wb.gov.in portal. The submitted application is verified at the respective Office of SDO/BDO and recommended by the Office of the District Magistrate by the nodal officer of SWSP. The Director of Information acts as an approver on behalf of the Department.  The entire process is regulated through the ‘Jai Bangla’ Portal.
3. Maavoi:  The Accredited Journalist may apply in prescribed Form A to be downloaded from https://wb.gov.in and submit the same at the Office of DICO/SDICO in the district.

The target group beneficiary has had been receiving uninterrupted monthly financial aid during their lifetime.

• Lok Prasar Prakalpa :- Launched in the year 2014 , a total of 1784 Folk Artistes got enlisted in various phases from the district. 

• They are receiving monthly retainer and pensioner fees of Rs. 1000/- each. 
• And performances fees of Rs. 1000/-  per head per day as they are engaged to perform in various government fairs, festivals, programmes, etc by the department.

• Lok Prasar Prakalpa benefit distribution data:

• State Welfare Scheme for Purohit: Launched in September 2020  the scheme has registered 1195 Purohits and Priests as approved by the Deptt. of I & CA. Each beneficiary is to get financial assistance of Rs. 1000/- per month.
• Maavoi: Under Maavoi Health Scheme, 20 accredited Journalists of the district are at present enlisted and a total of 58 members are enrolled under the scheme.
  

  Sl No.	Category	Status of Maavoi (as on Aug 2021)
  1.	No. of Accredited Journalist	56
  2.	No. of Enrolled Journalist	20
  3.	No. of Beneficiaries	58 (including the Journalist)

Grievance Redressal:

Grievance redressal is taken up as and when concern is received or submitted at the Office of the above.