Haryana Pandit Lakhmi Chand Kalakar Samajik Samman Scheme

Pandit Lakhmi Chand Kalakar Samajik Samman Scheme is a Haryana Government scheme that provides a monthly honorarium of Rs. 10,000 to eligible senior artists and art scholars whose annual family income is up to Rs. 1.80 lakh, and Rs. 7,000 per month to those whose annual family income is above Rs. 1.80 lakh but does not exceed Rs. 3 lakh. The scheme aims to support artists who have made significant contributions to the field of art during their lifetime. Read the complete article to learn about the eligibility criteria, benefits, required documents, application process, and other important details.

Introduction of Pandit Lakhmi Chand Kalakar Samajik Samman Scheme: A Brief Insight

To recognise the lifelong contribution of senior artists and art scholars, the Haryana Government announced the Pandit Lakhmi Chand Kalakar Samajik Samman Scheme during the State Budget for the financial year 2023-24. The scheme was subsequently launched statewide on 05 May 2025.

The primary objective of this scheme is to improve the social and economic conditions of senior artists and art scholars who have devoted a significant part of their lives to promoting art and culture but no longer have a stable source of income due to old age. It also honours those who have made remarkable contributions to various fields of art in Haryana.

The scheme is implemented by the Art and Culture Affairs Department, Haryana. Under this scheme, eligible artists and art scholars aged 60 years or above who have worked in the field of arts for at least 20 years receive a monthly honorarium from the Haryana Government.

The scheme covers registered artists and art scholars associated with fields such as singing, acting, dancing, theatre, drama, painting, sculpture, playing musical instruments, and other visual arts. Applicants must have made a significant contribution to their respective fields and satisfy the eligibility conditions prescribed by the department.

Eligible beneficiaries whose annual income from all sources is up to Rs. 1.80 lakh receive a monthly honorarium of Rs. 10,000. Artists and art scholars whose annual income is more than Rs. 1.80 lakh but does not exceed Rs. 3 lakh receive a monthly honorarium of Rs. 7,000. Applicants with an annual income exceeding Rs. 3 lakh are not eligible for benefits under this scheme.

At present, beneficiaries can apply through the prescribed application form to avail the monthly honorarium under the Pandit Lakhmi Chand Kalakar Samajik Samman Scheme. Applicants may contact the District Offices of the Art and Culture Affairs Department for application forms, submission, or any assistance related to the scheme.

Senior artists and art scholars of Haryana may also explore the Mukhyamantri Teerth Yatra Yojana, under which eligible senior citizens can undertake a pilgrimage to notified religious destinations free of cost.

Benefits Provided to Eligible Beneficiaries

Under the Pandit Lakhmi Chand Kalakar Samajik Samman Scheme, the Haryana Government provides the following benefits to eligible senior artists and art scholars:

• Monthly financial assistance in the form of an honorarium (pension).
• Eligible beneficiaries with an annual family income of up to Rs. 1,80,000 receive Rs. 10,000 per month.
• Eligible beneficiaries whose annual family income is more than Rs. 1,80,000 but does not exceed Rs. 3,00,000 receive Rs. 7,000 per month.
• The approved honorarium is directly transferred to the beneficiary’s bank account through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.

Eligibility Conditions Required to be Fulfilled

Applicants must satisfy the following eligibility conditions to receive the monthly honorarium under the Pandit Lakhmi Chand Kalakar Samajik Samman Scheme:

• Must be a permanent resident of Haryana.
• Must be a registered artist or art scholar.
• Must have contributed to the field of art for at least 20 years.
• Must be 60 years of age or above as per the Parivar Pehchan Patra (PPP).
• Must possess a valid Parivar Pehchan Patra (PPP).
• Annual family income should be within the limits prescribed under the scheme.
• Must have contributed to one or more of the following fields:
  • Singing.
  • Acting.
  • Dance.
  • Drama.
  • Painting.
  • Playing Musical Instruments.
  • Sculpture.
  • Theatre.
  • Other Visual Arts.
• Applicants must submit documentary proof of their artistic performances or contributions for each year of service, except for the financial years 2020-21 and 2021-22, which were exempted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Documents Required to be Attached

Applicants should attach the following documents along with the application form while applying for benefits under the Pandit Lakhmi Chand Kalakar Samajik Samman Scheme:

• Residence Proof or Domicile Certificate of Haryana.
• Aadhaar Card.
• Parivar Pehchan Patra (PPP).
• Recent passport-size colour photograph.
• Mobile Number.
• Bank Account Details with IFSC Code.
• Proof of Age.
• Family Income Certificate.
• Documents showing artistic contributions for the last 20 years, excluding the financial years 2020-21 and 2021-22.
• Certificates, awards, recognitions, or honours received from the Central Government, State Government, Union Territory, or recognised cultural organisations, if available.
• Copies of newspaper clippings, media coverage, photographs, audio or video links, or any other supporting documents related to artistic achievements.

How Beneficiaries Can Apply to Avail the Benefit of this Scheme

Eligible senior artists and art scholars can apply for the monthly honorarium under the Pandit Lakhmi Chand Kalakar Samajik Samman Scheme by submitting the prescribed application form. As of now, applications are accepted through the offline mode. Follow the steps below to apply:

Step 1: Visit the District Office of the Art and Culture Affairs Department, Haryana and collect the prescribed application form.

Step 2: Fill in the application form carefully with all the required personal, income, and artistic contribution details.

Step 3: Attach all the required supporting documents, including identity proof, Parivar Pehchan Patra (PPP), income proof, bank account details, age proof, and documents related to your artistic contributions.

Step 4: Recheck all the information provided in the application form and submit the completed form along with the required documents at the concerned District Office of the Art and Culture Affairs Department.

Step 5: The department will verify the application, supporting documents, and the applicant’s eligibility as per the scheme guidelines.

Step 6: Eligible applications will be placed before the designated committee for further scrutiny and approval. After the competent authority grants final approval, the list of selected beneficiaries will be prepared.

Step 7: The approved monthly honorarium will be directly credited to the beneficiary’s bank account through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.

The Haryana Government may introduce an online application facility for this scheme in the future. Until then, applicants should contact their respective District Office of the Art and Culture Affairs Department for the latest application-related information.

Important Links Available

• Pandit Lakhmi Chand Kalakar Samajik Samman Scheme Guidelines
• Official Website of Art and Culture Affairs Department, Haryana

Contact Details in Case of Help Needed

If you need any assistance regarding the Pandit Lakhmi Chand Kalakar Samajik Samman Scheme, you can contact the Art and Culture Affairs Department, Haryana through the following details:

• Contact Numbers:
  • 0172-2793897
  • 0172-2793901
  • 0172-2793896
  • 0172-2793877
  • 0172-2793884
• Email: artandcultureaffairshry@gmail.com
• Office Address:
  Art and Culture Affairs Department, Haryana
  SCO 29, 2nd Floor,
  Sector 7-C, Madhya Marg,
  Chandigarh – 160019.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. What is the Pandit Lakhmi Chand Kalakar Samajik Samman Scheme?

Ans. Pandit Lakhmi Chand Kalakar Samajik Samman Scheme is a Haryana Government scheme that provides a monthly honorarium to senior artists and art scholars who have made significant contributions to the field of art and fulfil the prescribed eligibility conditions.

Q. Who is eligible to receive benefits under this scheme?

Ans. Permanent residents of Haryana who are at least 60 years of age, have worked in the field of art for a minimum of 20 years, are registered artists or art scholars, and meet the prescribed income criteria are eligible to apply.

Q. What financial assistance is provided under this scheme?

Ans. Eligible beneficiaries with an annual family income of up to Rs. 1.80 lakh receive Rs. 10,000 per month. Those whose annual family income is more than Rs. 1.80 lakh but does not exceed Rs. 3 lakh receive Rs. 7,000 per month.

Q. Which artists are covered under this scheme?

Ans. The scheme covers eligible artists and art scholars associated with fields such as singing, acting, dance, drama, theatre, painting, sculpture, playing musical instruments, and other visual arts.

Q. What documents are required while applying?

Ans. Applicants generally need to submit their Haryana domicile certificate, Aadhaar Card, Parivar Pehchan Patra (PPP), age proof, income certificate, bank account details, recent photograph, and supporting documents related to their artistic contributions.

Q. Is there any income limit under this scheme?

Ans. Yes. Applicants with an annual family income of up to Rs. 3 lakh are eligible. The amount of monthly honorarium depends on the applicant’s income category.

Q. Can an artist with an annual income above Rs. 3 lakh apply?

Ans. No. Artists or art scholars whose annual family income exceeds Rs. 3 lakh are not eligible for benefits under the scheme.

Q. How can eligible applicants apply for the scheme?

Ans. Applicants can obtain the prescribed application form from the District Office of the Art and Culture Affairs Department, fill it carefully, attach the required documents, and submit it to the concerned office for verification and further processing.

Q. Is an online application facility available?

Ans. At present, beneficiaries can apply through the prescribed application form. Applicants should contact the concerned District Office of the Art and Culture Affairs Department to know the latest application procedure.

Q. How is the monthly honorarium disbursed?

Ans. After successful verification and approval by the competent authority, the monthly honorarium is directly credited to the beneficiary’s bank account through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.

Q. Is Parivar Pehchan Patra (PPP) mandatory?

Ans. Yes. A valid Parivar Pehchan Patra (PPP) is mandatory as it is used to verify the applicant’s age, family details, and income while processing the application.

Q. Where can I get help regarding this scheme?

Ans. Applicants can contact the Art and Culture Affairs Department, Haryana by calling 0172-2793897 or sending an email to artandcultureaffairshry@gmail.com. They may also visit the concerned District Office for assistance.

Tabassum

Tabassum is a government schemes researcher and writer with 5 years of experience tracking Central and State welfare scheme programmes across India. She has covered 500+ schemes spanning agriculture, women welfare, education, and housing, helping lakhs of beneficiaries understand their entitlements in simple language.