(a) whether any special drives have been undertaken by the Government to locate and conserve the Indian manuscripts;
(b) if so, the details thereof ;
(c) whether the Government proposes to extend some financial rewards to owners offering manuscripts for documentation; and
(d) if so, the details thereof ?
MINISTER OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND CULTURE (SHRI S. JAIPAL REDDY)
(a) Yes, Sir.
(b) National Mission for Manuscripts was set up by the Government in 2003 for taking up survey, documentation and conservation of Indian manuscripts. The Mission has linked with 77 renowned institutions around the country to facilitate this task. The Mission has set up conservation centres in leading institutions to conserve manuscripts and to provide training. The Mission undertook a survey and located 6.5 lakhs manuscripts in 37,000 depositories in Orissa, U.P., Bihar and Delhi. Similar surveys are being undertaken in Gujarat, J&K, Assam, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Kerala, Tripura, Manipur, Sikkim & Arunachal Pradesh etc. It is also creating an electronic database on manuscripts.
(c) No, Sir.
(d) Does not arise.