Financial Assistance For Development Of Buddhist/Tibetan Arts And Culture

The scheme “Financial Assistance for Development of Buddhist/Tibetan Arts and Culture” was launched by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India to provide financial assistance to voluntary Buddhist/Tibetan organizations including Monasteries engaged in the propagation and scientific development of Buddhist/Tibetan culture, tradition and research in related fields. - The grant shall be given based on the appraisal of applications and recommendations by the Expert Advisory Committee and thereafter administrative approval and financial concurrence of competent authorities in the Ministry of Culture. - The Joint Secretary In-Charge would be the competent authority for the release of funds up to ₹30.00 lakhs based on the recommendation of the Expert Advisory Committee and in consultation with IFD in each Case. - The grants will be paid in two equal installments, the first being normally released with the approval of the project. - The second installment will be released on receipt of a duly audited statement of accounts showing the utilization of the entire amount of the grant plus the share of the grantee/concerned State/U.T. Government and other documents on behalf of the Chartered Accountant. - The release of the balance of the grant will be decided on the basis of the actual expenditure incurred on the project subject to the maximum limit. - The grant for repairs, restoration, and renovation of Heritage Buildings associated with Buddhism is subject to a certificate from the Archaeological Survey of India. An officer of the appropriate level from the ASI office/Circle concerned will be associated with the organization for this activity. Applications against which a previous grant/Utilisation certificate is pending will not be considered. Mode of Payment: All payments will be made through electronic transfers. Special Provision: The Expert Advisory Committee (EAC) on the scheme is empowered to recommend or reject any proposal received without or with the recommendation of State Government/U.T. administration/ Local Administration and also to recommend the amount beyond the maximum limit but not exceeding ₹1.00 crore from this scheme. In respect of any proposal which is of outstanding merit for which the EAC feels that the maximum limit would not be sufficient for undertaking the said project, with the approval of the Minister (Culture) and concurrence of AS&FA, Ministry of Culture. However, in each such case, detailed justification would be given by EAC for exceeding the limit of ₹ 30.00 lakhs. Inspection & Monitoring: The inspection would be carried out by Ministry officials every year at least in 5% of the cases and also the services of autonomous institutions like Central University of Tibetan Studies, Sarnath, Nava Nalanda Mahavihara, Nalanda, Central Institute of Buddhist Studies, Leh, ZCCs would be utilized. The concerned State Government/UTs Administration, District Collector/Dy. Commissioner will also monitor. Penalties in case of misutilization of grant: The members of the executive body of the organization would be liable for the recovery of misused grants. The organization will also be blacklisted for misuse of funds, fake registration certificate, etc. All immovable assets created from the Government grants would be taken over by local administration prescribed by the Ministry.