Question : Functioning of Museums

(a) whether the Government is coordinating with the State Governments towards protection, conservation and management of museums for their effective functioning as information disseminator and tourism spots;

(b) if so, whether the Government is aware that some museums under the jurisdiction of the State Museum Directorate, including the Freedom Struggle Museum on 1857 War of Independence in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh have been suffering from staff shortages and improper/ineffective maintenance; and

(c) if so, the steps being taken by the Government to improve their conditions?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR CULTURE AND TOURISM

(PRAHLAD SINGH PATEL)

(a) to (c): A Statement is laid on the table of the House.


STATEMENT REFERRED IN REPLY TO PART (a) TO (c) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. * 294 FOR REPLY ON 09.12.2019

(a) No, Sir. Protection, conservation, maintenance and management of Museums under the State Governments is the subject matter of State Government. However, Ministry of Culture operates a Museum Grant Scheme under which State Governments may apply for financial assistance for upgradation of existing museums at the regional, state and District level, digitization of art objects in the museums for making their images/catalogues available over the website and for capacity building of Museum professionals. In order to seek financial assistance under the scheme, proposal is required to be submitted to the Ministry in the prescribed proforma alongwith all relevant documents for consideration by the Expert Committee constituted for this purpose. The guidelines of the Museum Grant Scheme are available on the website of the Ministry at www.indiaculture.gov.in. Ministry of Culture have also apprised all the State Govts. about the scheme.

(b) & (c) No, Sir. Ministry of Culture have no information about museums under jurisdiction of the State Museum Directorate including the Freedom Struggle Museum on 1857 war of Independence in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh. Ministry of Culture is also not aware about the staff shortage and improper/ineffective maintenance at the Museum under the jurisdiction of State Museum Directorate.

****************