MUMBAI: Having realised the importance of ancient culture, folk art and folk music, the Indian Government had set up the seven Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs). For the current fiscal 2015-16, the Government plans to spend Rs 59.91 crores, which will be used to support the regular plan for all ZCCs.

The ZCCs has headquarters in Patiala, Udaipur, Allahabad, Kolkata, Dimapur, Nagpur and Thanjavur. The aim of the centres will include preserving, promoting and disseminating the traditional folk, tribal arts, music and culture of all the States/ Union Territories.

The ZCCs have been carrying out various activities and organising programmes at national, zonal and local levels, in accordance with their aims and objectives, all of which are being implemented through various schemes.

The information was given by The Minister of State for Tourism (Independent Charge), Culture (Independent Charge) and Civil Aviation, Dr. Mahesh Sharma, during a reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha on 30 July.

In the last five years, the ZCCs have spent a total of Rs 2617.29 lakh (2010-11), Rs 2663.64 lakh (2011-12), Rs 2663.64 lakh (2012-13), Rs 2525.99 lakh (2013-14) and Rs 3522.54 lakh (2014-15).