“Hamari Dharohar Scheme” is one of the most crucial initiatives administered by the Ministry of Minority Affairs for marginalized communities. Initiated in 2015, this program strives to uphold the legacy and cultural heritage of minority groups. Explore further to gain comprehensive insights into the Hamari Dharohar scheme in Hindi, including its highlights, objectives, activities covered by the scheme, implementing organizations, fellowships, fund allocation, application procedure, and more.
Hamari Dharohar Scheme in Hindi
The preservation of distinctive art and literature that belong to individual communities is an essential aspect of this heritage scheme. Documentation and similar processes are included due to the current lack of awareness and understanding of minority cultures. Additionally, considering the present circumstances, this plan aims to foster tolerance nationwide. As per the National Commission for Minorities Act of 1992, India recognizes six minority communities, namely Parsis, Jains, Sikhs, Christians, Muslims, and Buddhists. Buddhists and Jains have relatively smaller populations, less than one crore, based on the 2001 Census data. The Parsis, with fewer than one lakh individuals, can be considered a minuscule minority.
Hamari Dharohar Yojana 2023: Highlights
Name | Hamari Dharohar Yojana (in hindi) |
Introduced in | 2015 |
Managed by | Ministry of Minority Affairs |
Official Website | https://www.minorityaffairs.gov.in/ |
Objective | To preserve the legacy and cultural heritage of minorities. |
Hamari Dharohar Yojana: Objective
The primary aim of this plan is to safeguard and maintain the distinctive heritage of specific communities. This includes communities practicing religions such as Parsis, Christians, Buddhists, and others. The government conducts research and supports community development to delve deeper into the history of these communities. These efforts contribute to mutual understanding and help India gain a better understanding of its diverse cultural tapestry.
Activities Covered by Hamari Dharohar Yojana
The following projects fall under the umbrella of selective intervention for heritage preservation:
Organizing prestigious exhibitions and promoting performing arts to protect and promote heritage.
Encouraging and supporting calligraphy, among other art forms.
Preserving recorded art forms and oral traditions.
Funding ethnic museums (not under the Ministry of Culture’s programs) to exhibit and safeguard the heritage of underrepresented groups.
Preserving books, papers, manuscripts, and similar materials.
Providing fellowships for research on heritage preservation and development.
Supporting the planning of lectures and workshops on heritage.
Offering additional assistance to individuals or groups dedicated to safeguarding and promoting the rich history of minority communities.
Implementing Organizations for Hamari Dharohar Yojana
Project Implementing Agencies (PIAs) registered with NITI Aayog include:
State Archaeological Organizations
Nationally recognized organizations registered under the Societies Registration Act for a minimum of three years, with a background in heritage curation work.
Registered/Recognized Cultural Institutions experienced in historical work curation, registered/recognized under the Societies Registration Act, and working for the socioeconomic, cultural, and educational welfare of minorities.
Reputable Registered Organizations with a minimum of three years’ experience in historical work curation, registered under the Societies Registration Act.
Respected universities and research institutions possessing expertise and resources for conserving historical artifacts.
Institutions of the central or state governments specializing in historical preservation.
Trusts, Corporations, Partnership Firms, or Societies engaged in the preservation and curation of culturally and historically significant objects, registered under the Societies Registration Act of 1960.
Hamari Dharohar Yojana: Fellowships
Fellowships are granted based on the following criteria:
The candidate must belong to a recognized minority and hold a postgraduate degree with at least 50% marks in the relevant field for which they are applying.
The candidate must have secured admission to a university or institution for a standard M.Phil. or Ph.D. program.
Candidates from underrepresented groups are eligible for 35% of the available seats annually.
The candidate’s age should not exceed 35 years.
The fellowships are awarded for research-focused projects.
The fellowships should not be used for conducting workshops, seminars, recording memoirs, or writing fiction or autobiographies, among other purposes.
The candidate needs to demonstrate their capability to handle the proposed project.
Hamari Dharohar Yojana: Implementation Strategy
In accordance with the National Commission for Minorities Act of 1992, this program aims to preserve the rich cultural heritage of six notified minority communities, including Muslims, Jews, Parsis, Buddhists, Sikhs, and Christians. The program is open to the entire nation, and the remaining three years of the 14th Finance Commission (2017–2018 to 2019–2020) may be utilized to fulfill the objectives.
Fund Release
Funds will be released in three installments (40:40:20) upon project approval.
For fund distribution, direct electronic transfers from the PIA’s account to the selected PIAs will be employed.
All payments to the PIA must be made via the PFMS, as per the rules.
The fund disbursement schedule for projects is as follows:
First Installment:
After the project is approved and a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is signed between the parties, the first installment, accounting for 40% of the project cost, will be disbursed. The PIA must provide the necessary bond and bank information in the required format.
Second Installment:
The second installment, representing 40% of the project cost, will be released upon meeting the following requirements:
Certified utilization of 90% of the first installment, substantiated by an audited utilization certificate.
Physical inspection of the work by a team from the Ministry of Minority Affairs, the State Government, or an authorized inspection agency.
Submission of an audit report and photos of completed work.
Third Installment:
The final installment, amounting to 20% of the project cost, will be released upon meeting the following conditions:
Submission of a completion report with accompanying pictures.
An audited certificate of utilization for the entire 80% of funds distributed in the first and second installments.
Accounts with an audited report.
Verification of deliverables through random physical verification conducted by a team from the Ministry of Minority Affairs, the State Government, or another authorized inspection body.
Application Procedure for Hamari Dharohar Yojana
The Ministry of Minority Affairs will publish advertisements in publications and on its official website, inviting organizations and institutions to submit proposals in the required format.
The Ministry may also directly finance projects submitted by specialist organizations that meet the guidelines and are renowned for their expertise in the relevant field or serve on the Ministry of Culture’s panel for curating works.
Additionally, the Ministry may grant fellowships in the relevant sector if an applicant meets the requirements outlined in Paragraph 5.2 of the rules.
The Project Approval Committee (PAC) of the Ministry will review the project proposals, which will be evaluated based on operational rules and a predetermined point-based system for mandatory criteria.
However, the Ministry reserves the right to terminate the selection process abruptly if deemed necessary.
The Ministry may engage recognized institutions or organizations to verify the qualifications of the PIAs.
The Secretary, as the competent authority, will provide consent before considering the proposals of the selected PIAs (Minority Affairs).