Question : CONSERVATION OF MANUSCRIPTS

(a) whether a National Mission for Manuscripts has been launched by the Hon`ble Prime Minister recently;

(b) if so, the details of the plans to document and preserve the 35 lakhs manuscripts lying with private and non-Governmental Organizations, in different parts of the country;

(c) the number of Sanskrit Scholars to be engaged during the first phase of the programme since most of the manuscripts are in Sanskrit; and

(d) the procedure for procurement of the manuscripts from private citizens in national interest?

MINISTER OF TOURISM AND CULTURE (SHRI JAGMOHAN)

(a) : Yes, Sir.

(b) to (d): Under the National Mission, manuscripts shall be documented and preserved by adopting a multi-pronged strategy, which include public awareness, surveys, extending need based infrastructural support to the major custodial institutions, conservation, micro-filming/digitization, cataloguing and setting up a National Manuscripts Library. A National Empowered Committee under the Chairmanship of Minister-in-charge of Culture and the Executive Committee under the Chairmanship of Secretary (Culture) have been constituted to provide policy advice, guidance, prepare action plans and evolve procedures for implementation of the objectives of the National Mission for Manuscripts.