Lokprasar Prakalpo

Lokprasar Prakalpo is a specialized social welfare and cultural preservation scheme launched by the Government of West Bengal to support folk artists. Managed by the Information and Cultural Affairs Department, it provides financial security to traditional artists while promoting the state’s rich folk heritage.

As on present date, the scheme supports over 200,000 folk artists across various genres like Baul, Bhatiyali, Bhawaiya, Jhumur, Chhau, and Gambhira.

Key Benefits

The scheme offers two types of financial support based on the artist’s age:

  • Retainer Fee: Active folk artists aged between 18 and 60 years receive a monthly retainer fee of ₹1,000. In exchange, they participate in government awareness programs to disseminate information about various state schemes.
  • Pension: Senior folk artists above 60 years of age receive a monthly pension of ₹1,000.
  • Performance Fee: Artists also receive an additional ₹1,000 as a performance fee for each government program or public awareness campaign they participate in.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Category: Must be a practitioner of a recognized folk art form of West Bengal.
  • Age: 18 years and above.
  • Residency: Must be a permanent resident of West Bengal.
  • Exclusivity: The artist should not be receiving any other government pension or regular financial assistance from other state/central cultural schemes.

How to Apply

  1. Artist Identification: The government conducts “Artist Workshops” or “Identification Camps” at the block and district levels.
  2. Submission: Applicants must submit their details to the Block Development Office (BDO) or the District Information and Cultural Office (DICO).
  3. Application Form: You will need to fill out a specific form providing details of your art form and performance history.

Required Documents

  • Artist Identity Card (issued by the I&CA Department).
  • Aadhaar Card and Voter ID (EPIC).
  • Bank Passbook (Aadhaar-linked for DBT).
  • Income Certificate and passport-sized photographs.
  • Evidence of being a folk artist (certificates, news clippings, or photographs of performances).