1. In the VIIIth Five Year Plan (1992-97), a scheme for grant of financial assistance to State Governments/ State-sponsored bodies for setting up Multi-Purpose Cultural Complexes (MPCCs) was introduced with the objective of improving the quality of life of our young people by making them sensitive to what is aesthetically and morally good in the society and exposing them to the finest forms of creative action. Under the scheme, cultural complexes were set up in the States, for coordinating and fostering activities in various cultural fields, such as music, dance, drama, literature, fine arts, etc. As was provided in the scheme, the requests of State Governments were examined by an Advisory Committee keeping in view the existing facilities in the State or the location, the financial position of the concerned Cultural Departments, their commitment to provide funds for meeting matching grant and recurring expenditure of the MPCCs. This scheme provided for grant of a maximum of Rs. 1.00 crore to the State Government, subject to 50% of the project cost being provided by the State Government as matching grant.
2. The scheme was reviewed, taking into consideration of the past performance and the parameters laid down in the scheme and was revised in the year 2004. The revised scheme provided for two categories (I & II) of MPCCs. For Category I, project cost was Rs.5.00 crores and for Category II, it was Rs.2.00 crores.
3. In all, 49 MPCCs were assisted in different States/ UTs before the scheme was discontinued by the Planning Commission at the end of Xth Plan. Subsequently, during the Mid Term Appraisal of XIth Plan, Planning Commission agreed that the scheme may be revived with proper modifications.
4. In a related development, the National Committee under the Prime Minister and the National Implementation Committee under the Finance Minister, set up to commemorate the 150th Birth Anniversary of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, felt that there was a need for renovation, upgradation and expansion of the large number of Rabindra ‘Bhawans’, ‘Sadans’, ‘Rangshalas’, ‘Manchas’ and other Cultural Centres created across the country through Central assistance as part of a nation-wide programme that was launched on the occasion of Centenary Celebrations of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore in 1961. These Centres were in operation for over 30 years and had served the community well.
5. As part of the Commemoration of Tagore’s 150th birth anniversary, it was, therefore, decided to restore/renovate/upgrade/modernize/expand the existing Rabindra Bhawans and also create new cultural complexes in the State Capitals and other cities where no such complexes exist, within the framework of a revised MPCC scheme. The erstwhile MPCC scheme was therefore revamped and reintroduced in the name of Tagore, called Tagore Cultural Complexes (TCC) Scheme w.e.f. 07.05.2011 so that besides facilitating the setting up of new cultural complexes of varying scales, it could also support upgradation, modernization and modification of the existing Rabindra Auditoria into state-of-the-art cultural complexes.
6. The Ministry of Culture also feels that there is a big gap in the art-related infrastructure in the country. This gap has to be bridged through injection of due funding through this Scheme which effort is directly connected with the propagation and promotion of performing arts, in particular and art and culture in general. For this purpose, the Government of India envisages to continue with the above said Tagore Cultural Complexes (TCC) Scheme concerning a vast tapestry of spaces for practically all purposes to promote arts in general have been included. The Scheme aims at creating new spaces of all types as well as upgradation of existing spaces. This will encourage promotion of arts all over the country. Since a lot of this work is being done outside the public domain, Not for Profit organisations and such like bodies have been included as eligible applicants under the Scheme. It is also felt that several projects in the country under the erstwhile MPCC Scheme also are in the need of some funds for infrastructure towards upgradation of existing MPCCs, Rabindra ‘Bhawans’, ‘Sadans’, ‘Rangshalas’ as well as restoration, renovation, extension, alteration, upgradation, modernization etc. of existing physical facilities.
7. These requirements were accordingly incorporated in the comprehensive, broad-based TCC Scheme. Necessary stake [40%-in case of projects of non-North Eastern Region (NER) and 10% in case of projects of NER] of the grantee State Governments/UT Administrations/Not for Profit Organisations have been built in to ensure their whole-hearted participation and dedication as well as intellectual ownership of the project.

1. The revisited version of Scheme was known as ‘Tagore Cultural Complexes’ Scheme. On review of the Scheme for continuation beyond 12th Five Year Plan, this Scheme is made as one of the scheme components and known as ‘Financial Assistance for Tagore Cultural Complexes(TCC)’ under the “Scheme of Financial Assistance for Creation of Cultural Infrastructure”. The scheme component of ‘Financial Assistance for Tagore Cultural Complexes(TCC)’ will continue to foster and coordinate activities in the States/ UTs in different cultural fields such as music, drama, dance, literature, fine arts, etc. and promote through them the cultural unity of the country and provide avenues for creative expression and learning to the younger generation.
2. These cultural complexes will work as centres of excellence in all forms of art and culture, with facilities and infrastructure for stage performances (dance, drama and music), exhibitions, seminars, literary activities, film shows, etc. They are intended, therefore, to go beyond the original Tagore Auditorium scheme and foster a multi-dimensional interest in creativity and cultural expressions.

Under the scheme component of ‘Financial Assistance for Tagore Cultural Complexes(TCC)’, financial assistance will be provided to the following:

1. State Governments/ UT Administrations;
2. Bodies set up or sponsored by State Governments/ UT Administrations;
3. Bodies set up or sponsored by the Central Government organizations under it; Universities, Municipal Corporations and other Government-approved agencies; and
4. Reputed not-for-profit organizations that are capable of setting up and operating the project, arranging 40% of the project cost in case of projects of non-North Eastern Region (NER) or 10% of the project cost in case of projects of NER, as their matching share and meeting the recurring costs, provided they have been inspected and recommended by an appropriate agency of the Central Government or the concerned State Government/ UT Administration and fulfil the following criteria:
5. The organization is registered as a society under the Registration of Societies Act (XXI of 1860) or similar Acts, or as a Trust or Not-for-Profit Company at least for a period of three years.
6. Its charter is primarily devoted to the preservation, propagation and promotion of Indian arts and culture.
7. The organization has a predominantly cultural profile, working primarily for the promotion of arts and culture in fields such as dance, drama, theatre, music, fine arts, Indology and literature at least for a period of three years. The organization is well established and known to be doing meaningful work in the field of its activity and has gained a local, regional or national identity and reputation/standing.

Financial assistance will be given to projects of the following nature:

1. New Tagore Cultural Complexes (TCCs)- Every project must include an auditorium, except in the case of district/ municipal complexes which may instead have a mini-auditorium or open-air amphitheatre or improvised Manch. TCC will be a multipurpose cultural complex but the facilities to be provided in a particular project would depend on the local needs and cultural ethos. Ideally, for the purposes of this scheme component, a TCC may aim to have the following state-of-the-art facilities and infrastructure:
   1. An Auditorium (or a set of auditoria of varying capacities), for the performance of live music, dance or theatre or combination of these arts, with a seating capacity appropriate to local needs; can also be used as a venue for lectures, film screenings, etc..
   2. Rooms of varying capacities for seminars, conferences, workshops, etc.
   3. Green room(s)/dressing room(s)/makeup room(s) for the performers, and a storage area.
   4. Rehearsal hall(s) for theatre/ music/ dance.
   5. Training Centre/ school for theatre/ music/ dance.
   6. Dormitory for visiting artistes.
   7. Exhibition areas for art and photography.
   8. Library/reading room.
   9. Common facilities for office, cafeteria/catering, wash rooms, reception/waiting lounge, parking, etc.
2. Upgradation of existing Auditoria/ Cultural Complexes. The scheme will cover projects of upgradation of existing-
   1. Rabindra ‘Bhawans’, ‘Sadans’, ‘Rangshalas’,
   2. Multipurpose Cultural Complexes (MPCCs), and
   3. other auditoria/ cultural complexes; and may involve any or appropriate combination of the following components:
      1. Restoration, renovation, extension, alteration, upgradation, modernization of existing physical facilities;
      2. Remodelling of the interiors; and/ or
      3. Provision/ upgradation of facilities like electricals, air-conditioning, acoustics, light and sound systems and other items of equipment, such as audio/ video equipment, furniture and stage material.
3. Completion of approved/ ongoing MPCC Projects- The projects approved under the erstwhile MPCC Scheme will not be re-opened nor will the sanctioned amount be enhanced under provisions of this scheme component. However, in case of projects that were approved by the Expert Committee before the scheme was discontinued or ongoing projects where any installments are pending for disbursement, the Central assistance will continue to be disbursed under this scheme component, but only to the extent and as per the provisions of the said MPCC scheme..

1. Financial assistance under the scheme component for any project will normally be up to a maximum of Rs.15 crores. In extremely rare cases, of outstanding merit and relevance, the financial assistance can go up to Rs.50 crores, but then each such individual case of Central assistance beyond Rs.15 crores will be subjected to the usual appraisal/ approval mechanism prescribed for new Plan schemes.
2. The maximum amount of Central financial assistance which may be given under this scheme component would be 60% of the total approved project cost subject to the maximum financial ceiling as mentioned in para 5.1 above except in case of projects in North Eastern Region(NER). The remaining amount of 40% of the total approved project cost will be borne by the recipient State Govt./UT Admin./NGO or concerned organization. Cost of land will not be included in matching share. Developed land with approach road will be made available by the concerned State Government, free of cost, unless the organization has land of its ownership.
3. In case of projects in North Eastern Region (NER) [comprises States of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura] the maximum amount of Central financial assistance would be 90% of the total approved project cost subject to the maximum financial ceiling as mentioned in para 5.1 above. The remaining amount of 10% of the total approved project cost will be borne by the recipient State Govt./NGO or concerned organization. Cost of land will not be included in matching share. Developed land with approach road will be made available by the concerned State Government, free of cost, unless the organization has land of its ownership.
4. All recurring expenditure will be met by the State Government/ UT Admin. or concerned organization.
5. 0.5% of project cost may be released for preparation of Detailed Project Report (DPR) on the recommendations of Sub-Committee and National Appraisal Committee (NAC).

1. The prescribed application proforma/ other related forms/proforma(s) is available on the Ministry of Culture’s website i.e. www.indiaculture.nic.in.
2. Application in the prescribed proforma supported by necessary documents mentioned at Para 8 of the ‘Scheme’, may be submitted to “The Under Secretary, P.Arts-II Section, Room No. 207, 2nd Floor, Puratatva Bhawan, GPO Complex, INA, New Delhi – 110023. [Incomplete application(s)/proposals in any respect shall not be entertained and summarily be rejected and returned in original to the applicant organization(s)].
3. All documents mentioned in para 8 below and other relevant documents must accompany the application. Applications received without any of these mandatory documents will not be taken up for consideration and will be summarily rejected and returned in original to the applicant organization(s).

The application should be accompanied by the following documents:

1. Project Proposal along with a Feasibility Report of the proposed project, including:
   1. Building/development plans (existing/proposed);
   2. Summary of the cost estimates (Building, equipments, facilities, etc.);
   3. Sources of finance/funds for the matching share;
   4. Time schedule for completion of project;
   5. Post-completion plan to show how the organization will manage the operation & maintenance of the facility created through the project and meet the recurring maintenance/ operational costs; and
2. Supporting Documents:
   1. For applications by Government Departments/Bodies/Agencies:
      1. Evidence in support of allocation of land in the name of applicant organisation in case of new projects and the layout plan & details of facilities and infrastructure already available if the proposal is for upgradation of an existing auditorium or multipurpose cultural centre; and
      2. A letter of commitment for providing the matching share.
      3. While applying, the State Government/Departments/Bodies shall have to mention the "Project Executing Agency" (This agency may be a Department/Office/Organization/Body under the State Govt./UT Admin. having all the requisite details for registration on PFMS) who shall carry out the work of entire project.
      4. A Bank authorization letter (in the prescribed format) showing ECS details of the Bank account of the "Executing Agency" into which grant amount shall be remitted.
   2. For applications by reputed not-for-profit organizations:
      1. Copy of the Certificate of Registration under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 or other relevant Acts or registered trust deed;
      2. Copy of the Memorandum of Association (or Trust Deed) of the organization including Rules & Regulations, if any;
      3. List of present members of the Board of Management/ Office Bearers/Trustees with name & address of each member;
      4. Organization’s Profile containing a description of the organisation, its strengths, achievements and year-wise details of its activities over the last three years;
      5. Copies of Annual Accounts [Income & Expenditure Statement, Statement of Receipt & Payment and Balance Sheet] for the last 3(three) financial years (duly certified / audited by a Chartered Accountant/ Government Auditor);
      6. Copies of last three year’s Income Tax Assessment Orders;
      7. Copy of PAN Card and Registration under Section XII A, 80G of IT Act, if any;
      8. Copy of the title deed (registered conveyance deed, gift deed, lease deed, etc.), showing ownership of the land/building in the name of the applicant organization and confirming that the property can be used for Commercial/ Institutional purpose. In case the proposal is for upgradation of an existing auditorium or multipurpose cultural centre, layout plan and details of facilities and infrastructure as already available, may be provided;
      9. Documentary evidence in support of the claim that the organization has secured or made arrangements to secure its matching share e.g. a bank statement, certificate of expenditure already incurred on the project (with an year-wise break-up duly certified by Chartered Accountant), loan sanction letter, or letter of the State Government/Union Territory Administration, Local Body, etc. sanctioning funds for the project;
      10. A Resolution (in the prescribed format) of the Board of Management/ Executive Board/ Governing Body of the organization authorizing a person to sign the application for grant, bond, etc. on behalf of the organization;
      11. A Bond (in the prescribed format on a stamp paper of prescribed denomination) for the amount of assistance sought;
      12. Copy of active Unique ID Number obtained from NGO Darpan Portal; and
      13. A Bank Authorization Letter (in the prescribed format) showing ECS details of the Bank Account of the organization.

1. All applications received by the Ministry of Culture will be scrutinized for its completeness as per the documentary requirements of the scheme component. Applications which are incomplete (i.e. without requisite documents provided under para 8 above) will not be processed further, until the deficiencies are removed and returned in original to the applicant organization(s).
2. After the documentary scrutiny, all the applications/project proposals found to be complete in all respect shall be placed before the Sub-Committee for evaluation of the Detailed Project Report (DPRs) and recommendations thereof. On the basis of recommendations of the Sub-Committee, the proposal shall be kept before National Appraisal Committee (NAC) for final recommendations.
3. All the complete applications/project proposals will be examined by a National Appraisal Committee appointed by the Ministry of Culture (under para 9.5 below) for:
   1. Determining the eligibility;
   2. Evaluating worthiness of the proposal; and
   3. Recommending the amount of central assistance for a project.
4. The National Appraisal Committee will meet from time to time and evaluate each project proposal on its merits, with specific reference to the following:
   1. Whether the applicant organisation is well established in the field and has got an identity of its own;
   2. Whether the proposal is well-conceived;
   3. Whether the cost estimates are reasonable; and
   4. Whether the organisation has the capacity or has made arrangements to bring in its matching share to complete the project and to meet the recurring operational costs, post-completion. While sanctioning new projects under the scheme, the National Appraisal Committee shall also consider and evaluate the utility and output of the existing complexes, population and size of the state, and actual need for the new complex.
5. The Ministry of Culture will constitute a National Appraisal Committee (NAC) under the Chairpersonship of Secretary (Culture) - which may include officials of Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Urban Development, representatives of CPWD/ HUDCO/ NBCC, School of Planning & Architecture, artistes representing different fields of arts and culture including at least one technical expert in light/sound/stage craft etc., as deemed appropriate.
6. Project proposals seeking Central assistance will be examined by the NAC and funds will be released in consultation with Internal Finance. In its examination of the project proposals, the NAC will be assisted by its Sub-Committees. Project proposals seeking a Central assistance will be examined by the National Appraisal Committee, first for an in principle approval and on submission of the DPR for its final approval. The amount recommended by the Committee will be released by the Ministry of Culture in consultation with Internal Finance.
7. Projects seeking Central assistance exceeding Rs.15 crores will, with the prior permission of the Minister of Culture, be examined by the National Appraisal Committee for its in principle approval. On submission of the DPR, the same will be appraised through the usual SFC/ EFC mechanism and funds will be released in consultation with Internal Finance and with the approval of the competent authority i.e. Minister of Culture. (For such projects, special additional funds will need to be made available to the Ministry).
8. After in-principle approval of the project proposal by the National Appraisal Committee, Ministry of Culture will communicate the decision to the applicant organization, whereupon it will be required to get a DPR prepared as per Planning Commission format/TCC guidelines etc. For this purpose, up to 0.5% of the tentatively approved project cost may be released on the request of the organization. Besides submitting DPR, the applicant organization may also be required to make a presentation before the Committee.
9. Before according its in-principle approval or the final approval, the National Appraisal Committee will be at liberty to get an appraisal/ site inspection/ verification etc. done by Sub-Committee/Ad-hoc committees of experts including officials of the Ministry of Culture or its organisations or by an outside agency/ institute/ organisations etc.

On approval of the DPR, Ministry of Culture will communicate the decision to the concerned organization indicating the approved total cost of the project, quantum of Central Financial Assistance sanctioned, quantum of matching share of the organization and other terms and conditions etc. for release of the sanctioned amount of assistance.

The financial assistance will be released in two equal installments of 50% each of the sanctioned amount of Central assistance.

1. 1^st1st Installment of the sanctioned amount would be released on approval of DPR by Ministry of Culture, after adjusting the amount, if any, released for preparation of the DPR. Before release, it will be ensured that the building plans have been approved by the concerned civic authority.
2. 2^nd Installment of the sanctioned amount would thereafter be released on submission of following documents:
   1. Physical and financial progress report on the project, giving details of the work already carried out/ completed, along with the photographs of site etc.
   2. A Utilization Certificate from Chartered Accountant, certifying that the 1st installment of assistance has been fully utilized for the project.
   3. An Undertaking from the applicant organisation to the effect that the project will be completed within a period of three year from the date of release of 1st Installment.
   4. The audited statement of accounts of the project duly signed by a Charted Accountant, showing that the first installment as also the proportionate matching share has been utilized for the project.
   5. A certificate from State PWD/ CPWD or a registered Architect to the effect that :
      • The project is in progress as per the approved plan;
      • That there has been no violation of the local laws and the approved plan of construction/development;
      • The work done is of satisfactory quality; and
      • Valuation of the cost of work done and the further amount required to complete the project.
      • Note: If the final requirement of funds arrived at, falls short of the approved project cost or the amount of matching share spent by the organization is less than 40% of the approved project cost in case of non-NER projects and 10% of the approved project cost in case of NER projects, the amount of the second installment of grant will be reduced correspondingly.
      • Before releasing the second installment, the Ministry will get the project physically inspected through its representative(s) or a team of Experts.

For closure of the case, the grantee organization will be required to submit the following documents within 12 months of release of the last installment:

1. Project completion report from the State PWD/ CPWD or a Registered Architect.
2. Final statement of accounts duly certified by a chartered accountant/ Government auditor.
3. Utilization Certificate from the chartered accountant, of the amount of second installment.
4. Certificate from the chartered accountant that the organisation has spent corresponding amount of its matching share.
5. Completion certificate issued by appropriate civic authority or copy of a letter of the organization to the civic authority informing it of the completion of the project (in case of new construction).

1. The cultural complexes will be operated and maintained by the concerned State Government Department, Body, Agency, Autonomous organization, or Not-for-Profit Organization. Land provided for the project will be transferred in the name of the Registered Society or the concerned Department of the State Government. Central Government may nominate its representatives on the various bodies (General Council, Finance Committee, Executive Board, etc.) of the Society/ organization running the complex.
2. Separate/Subsidiary Accounts shall be maintained by the Society/ Organisation in respect of the grant released by the Central Government.
3. The accounts of the Institution shall be open to audit at any time by the CAG of India or his nominee at his discretion.
4. The State Government or organization shall submit to the Government of India its Statement of Accounts audited by a Chartered Accountant/ Government Auditor, setting out the expenditure incurred on the approved project and indicating utilization of the grants released by Central and State Government.
5. The functioning of the project will be open to a review by the Government of India, Ministry of Culture in any manner decided by it, as and when deemed necessary.
6. The institution/organisation/State Government shall exercise reasonable economy in its works.
7. The first lien on the building and assets acquired with Central assistance will vest in the President of India and neither the building nor the equipment shall be leased or mortgaged to other parties without the prior approval of the Government of India. However, the lease of the auditorium and other project facilities to other parties for temporary use shall be excluded from this rule.
8. The applicant organisation will be bound to complete the project within a period of three years from the date of release of first instalment failing which project will become time barred and no further grant will be released and the concerned project authority /institution/organisation/State Govt. will be liable to refund entire amount released by the Ministry along with the penal rate of interest thereon at the prevailing borrowing rate of the Government of India.
9. It should be ensured by the grantee organization that the complexes are optimally utilized throughout the year.
10. Applicant organization will give details with the application regarding how the Operation and Maintenance of the complex will be managed i.e. at the time the complex is operational how the project will become self-sufficient to meet the recurring expenses of the complex such as expenditure on electricity/water/house keeping bills, any wear & tear, repair etc. and if there is any other source of Income generating factors through that infrastructure to meet such expenses then it should be mentioned clearly.
11. The Central Government's financial liability will be limited to providing infrastructural facilities to the extent of its share of the approved project cost and not extent to the running of the complex, or to meet additional expenditure on account of cost escalation etc.
12. The grantee shall execute a bond in the prescribed form in favour of the President of India providing therein that he will abide by the conditions of the grant. In the event of his failing to comply with the conditions of grant by committing a breach of the bond, the Government of India may decide to recover the grant with interest thereon at the prevailing borrowing rate of the Government of India and charge penal rate of interest in case of delay as fixed by the Government of India.
13. All beneficiary organisations under the scheme component are required to send their progress report within six months of the sanction of the grant and subsequently for every three months i.e. on a quarterly basis till the completion of the project.
14. The grantee organization will acknowledge the financial support of the Government of India, Ministry of Culture by appropriately displaying the name of the Ministry at a prominent place in the complex.
15. The grantee organisation(s) will give due importance to fire safety in the complex/facility and the required safety equipments will be installed inside/premises of the complex wherever required/necessary.
16. Grant-in-Aid/Central Financial Assistance will be provided to only such projects which recognise in the name of “Rabindranath Tagore” i.e “Construction of new Tagore Cultural Complex”. Any other project/in any other name will not be considered under scheme component of ‘Financial Assistance for TCC’ and summarily be rejected without being evaluated and will be returned, in original, to the applicant organization(s).
17. The grantee organisation(s) will maintain/ensure the cleanliness & Sanitation in their offices/inside/ entire premises of the complex as well as the place where seminars, research, workshops, auditorium, open air-theatres, festivals and exhibition etc will be organised and will promote and propagate awareness about the Swachh Bharat among the people.
18. The grantee organisation(s) will use renewable energy, energy saving devices/equipments such as LED lights, power saver machineries etc. in the complex.
19. The grant released will not be used for the Administrative Building, Residential Quarters, Director's Bungalow or for any external development, like approach roads, etc.
20. Such other conditions as may be imposed by the Government of India from time to time.
21. All disputes between the Ministry/Central Govt. and the Grantee Organisation/bodies etc. shall be subject to Jurisdiction of courts at Delhi only