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Social Welfare & PensionOfficial Info Verified
Lokprasar Prakalpo
West Bengal's flagship folk-culture preservation and artist welfare programme providing ₹1,000 monthly pension for senior folk artistes (60+), ₹1,000 monthly retainer fee (18–60), ₹1,000 per-performance fee, and official Folk-Artiste Identity Cards via DBT under the Information & Cultural Affairs Department.
Department: Department of Information & Cultural Affairs (I&CA), Government of West Bengal
Senior Artiste Pension
₹1,000 / Month
For artistes aged 60+
Active Artiste Retainer
₹1,000 / Month
For artistes aged 18–60
Performance Fee
₹1,000 / Event
Per official campaign
Retainer Reach (Budget 2026)
1.8 Lakh+ Artistes
Active retainer beneficiaries
Language:
Scheme Overview
What is Lokprasar Prakalpo?
Lokprasar Prakalpo is a comprehensive flagship initiative of the Government of West Bengal, administered by the Information & Cultural Affairs Department. Created to revitalize Bengal's indigenous folk arts and safeguard the socio-economic well-being of traditional artistes, the programme operates on a multi-tiered support model rather than being a standalone pension scheme. Under the current framework detailed in the 2026–27 Budget Speech, senior folk artistes aged above 60 receive a monthly pension of ₹1,000, active folk artistes aged 18–60 receive a monthly retainer fee of ₹1,000 (covering more than 1.8 lakh artists state-wide), and registered artistes earn a performance fee of ₹1,000 per government-sponsored public awareness programme. According to the official Jai Bangla MIS snapshot (generated 18 June 2026), 31,052 approved LPP Pensioners and 119,282 approved LPP Retainer beneficiaries are actively recorded in the state's DBT disbursement architecture.
Primary Purpose:To preserve and promote Bengal's rich folk and tribal cultural heritage, revive dying folk art forms, issue official identification cards to authentic folk artistes, and provide structured financial security through monthly pensions for senior artistes, retainer fees, and performance-based opportunities in government public-awareness campaigns.
Key Scheme Objectives
- Preserve and promote Bengal's indigenous folk and tribal art forms, music, dance, and oral traditions.
- Revive endangered and nearly extinct traditional folk cultural expressions across all districts of West Bengal.
- Issue official Folk-Artiste Identity Cards to recognize and document authentic traditional craftspersons and performers.
- Provide guaranteed financial dignity to senior folk artistes (60+) through a monthly pension of ₹1,000.
- Support active folk artistes (18–60) with a regular monthly retainer fee of ₹1,000 to sustain their artistic practice.
- Engage registered folk artistes in government development and public awareness campaigns at ₹1,000 per performance.
Financial Framework
Multi-Tier Financial Structure & Distinct Payment Components
Lokprasar Prakalpo operates three distinct, non-overlapping financial components based on age and activity. These components must NOT be added together into a single combined monthly entitlement.
Senior Folk Artiste Pension
₹1,000 / Month
Active Folk Artiste Retainer
₹1,000 / Month
Government Performance Fee
₹1,000 / Performance
Retainer Artistes (Budget Speech)
1.8 Lakh+
LPP Pensioners (MIS Snapshot)
31,052
LPP Retainers (MIS Snapshot)
119,282
Understanding Lokprasar Financial Data & Government Reporting
Official Government of West Bengal publications present data across specific administrative windows: The 2026–27 Budget Speech highlights that more than 1.8 lakh folk artistes aged 18–60 receive the ₹1,000 monthly retainer fee, alongside monthly pension for senior artistes above 60 and ₹1,000 per performance. In the operational Jai Bangla MIS snapshot (generated 18 June 2026), 31,052 approved senior pensioners ('LPP Pensioner') and 119,282 approved retainer beneficiaries ('LPP Retainer') are recorded. These statistics represent distinct reporting dates, administrative contexts, and active DBT workflow stages.
Summary of Distinct Payment Streams under Lokprasar:
Senior Folk Artiste Pension (প্রবীণ লোকশিল্পী পেনশন)
Paid to eligible enlisted folk artistes aged above 60 years at ₹1,000 per month directly into bank accounts via DBT.
Folk Artiste Retainer Fee (লোকশিল্পী রিটেইনার ফি)
Paid to active registered folk artistes aged 18 to 60 years at ₹1,000 per month to support active artistic practice.
Performance Fee for Public Campaigns (সরকারি সচেতনতা প্রচারে পারফরম্যান্স ফি)
Paid at ₹1,000 per assignment to registered folk artistes assigned to perform at government development and social awareness events.
Payment Clarity Guide:
Senior Pension (₹1,000/mo, 60+), Retainer Fee (₹1,000/mo, 18–60), and Performance Fee (₹1,000/performance) are separate entitlements. Do NOT merge them into a single monthly payout figure.
Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) & Automated Crediting
All financial benefits—pension, retainer fee, and verified performance fees—are credited directly into the enlisted folk artiste’s bank account via the state’s automated Direct Benefit Transfer framework.
Eligibility Guidelines
Who is Eligible to Apply?
Review standard qualifying conditions, income limits, and applicable waiver categories. Read our guide on understanding eligibility
Standard Eligibility Requirements
- Applicant must be an authentic traditional folk or tribal cultural artiste of West Bengal (singers, dancers, musicians, traditional performers)
- For Senior Artiste Pension: Artiste must be aged above 60 years (60+)
- For Active Artiste Retainer Fee: Artiste must be aged between 18 and 60 years
- Applicant must be a permanent resident of West Bengal
- Must be formally enlisted and verified by the Information & Cultural Affairs Department
Not Eligible:
- Individuals who are not engaged in traditional folk, tribal, or indigenous cultural art forms of Bengal.
- Artistes not enrolled or recognized by the Information & Cultural Affairs Department.
- Artistes receiving duplicate full-time pensions under other conflicting state schemes as per departmental rules.
Official Status Portal
Track Applicant & Payment Status on Samarth / Jai Bangla Portal
Direct Government Status Check
Enlisted folk artistes can check their application status, approval details, and payment disbursements directly on the official Government of West Bengal Samarth portal or Jai Bangla MIS.
Registration & Enlistment
Information & Cultural Affairs Department & DICO Offices
Artistes can apply for enlistment and Folk-Artiste Identity Cards through the District Information & Cultural Officer (DICO) in each district, Sub-Divisional Information & Cultural offices, BSK centres, or during designated Duare Sarkar camps.
Required Documentation
Commonly Required Documents
Exact document requirements can depend on the application type and applicant circumstances. View our common documents checklist
Standard
Proof of Age (Voter ID / Aadhaar / Birth / School Certificate)
Document certifying age bracket for senior pension (60+) or retainer fee (18–60).
Standard
Proof of Folk Artistry / Cultural Recommendation
Evidence of traditional folk performance, district cultural committee certification, or recommendation from recognized cultural bodies.
Standard
Identity Proof (Aadhaar Card / Voter ID Card)
Valid government-issued identity proof of the applicant.
Standard
Proof of Residence in West Bengal
Document proving permanent residency in West Bengal.
Standard
Bank Account Passbook Copy (with IFSC)
Passbook clearly showing Account Number, IFSC code, and beneficiary’s name for DBT credits.
Standard
Passport Size Photographs
Recent passport-sized photographs for application file and Folk-Artiste Identity Card.
Guidance: Ensure the applicant’s bank account is active and matches the beneficiary name exactly before institutional submission.
Application Process
How to Apply for Lokprasar Prakalpo
Step-by-step application and verification procedure based on official guidelines. Read our official portals guide
1
Obtain Prescribed Enlistment Form
Collect the Lokprasar Prakalpo enlistment form from the District Information & Cultural Officer (DICO) office, SDO office, BSK centre, or Duare Sarkar camp.
2
Fill Artiste & Bank Details
Provide accurate information regarding folk art genre (Baul, Jhumur, Chhau, Bhawaiya, Gambhira, etc.), age category, contact number, and bank details.
3
Attach Verification Documents
Attach age proof, residency proof, cultural evidence/recommendation, Aadhaar, bank passbook copy, and passport photographs.
4
Submit to DICO Office / Local Authority
Submit the completed application packet to the District Information & Cultural Officer (DICO) or designated submission counter.
5
Audition/Verification, ID Card & DBT Sanction
Cultural authorities verify artistic authenticity and age; approved artistes receive their Folk-Artiste Identity Card and start receiving pension/retainer via DBT.
Payment Method
Disbursed directly into the registered folk artiste’s bank account via automated Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) under the state payment portal.
Official Portal & Tracking
Access the official Government portal for online services, guidelines, and application tracking.
Track Status on Samarth PortalDisbursement Frequency:Monthly social pension & retainer fee credited regularly via DBT; performance fees credited post event verification.
Important to Know
Lokprasar Prakalpo is a comprehensive cultural preservation and artiste welfare programme, NOT only a pension scheme.
Senior Pension (₹1,000/month for 60+), Retainer Fee (₹1,000/month for 18–60), and Performance Fee (₹1,000/event) are distinct payment streams.
The 2026–27 Budget Speech reports over 1.8 lakh folk artistes receiving the monthly retainer fee.
The official Jai Bangla MIS snapshot (18 June 2026) records 31,052 LPP Pensioners and 119,282 LPP Retainer beneficiaries.
Distinct from Literary & Cultural Pension (writers/theatre), Jatra Artist Assistance, and MSME&T Artisan Pension.
Frequently Asked Questions
Lokprasar Prakalpo Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions and answers regarding eligibility, benefits, documents, and application process for Lokprasar Prakalpo.
It is the Government of West Bengal's flagship programme administered by the Information & Cultural Affairs Department to preserve folk cultural heritage, issue identity cards, and provide structured financial support to folk artistes.
Sources Checked
All factual information on this page has been compiled and verified against official government portals, gazettes, and departmental guidelines.
Government of West Bengal — Lokprasar Prakalpo Portal
Chief Minister's Office — Scheme Master (Lokprasar)
Bangla Sahayata Kendra — Lokprasar Prakalpo Services
West Bengal Finance Department — Budget Speech 2026–27
West Bengal Finance Department — Budget Publication 2026
Jai Bangla Social Pension & Retainer MIS Portal
Samarth Official Applicant / Payment Tracking Portal
Last Verified: 2026-08-18T00:00:00Z
Independent Platform Notice:
WBScheme is an independent information platform and is not the Government of West Bengal. Lokprasar Prakalpo eligibility, registration, pension, retainer fee, performance fee, verification and payment rules may change. Always verify the latest information through the Government of West Bengal and the Information & Cultural Affairs Department before applying or registering.
Social Security & Pensions
