(a) whether the Government is aware that other States including Rajasthan and Haryana in the country hold an important place for the ancient heritage museums;
(b) if so, the efforts being made to preserve them;
(c) whether the Government is aware that an ancient museum is situated in Gurukul of Jhajjar district in Haryana State;
(d) whether the Government wants the new generation to be informed about such places; and
(e) if so, the efforts being made by the Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR CULTURE & TOURISM
(PRAHLAD SINGH PATEL)
(a)to(c): No Sir. No such information is available in Ministry of Culture. However, based upon directions of Parliament Standing Committee, Ministry of Culture has written to all the Chief Secretaries of State Governments and Union Territories, requesting them to provide a list of existing museums in their State, whether under Government control, or run by other Institutions, for assessing their importance, also explaining in brief the artefacts displayed. No information has been received from the States of Rajasthan and Haryana as yet.
Based on proposals received from State Government, under the Museum Grant Scheme, Ministry of Culture provides financial assistance for setting up of new museums by the State Governments and other registered Bodies at regional, state and district level and also to strengthen and modernize the existing museums.
(d)&(e): Yes Sir. Under the Museum Grant Scheme, modernisation of museums envisages setting up of digital displays to attract the youth, better curation, display and lighting, as well as outreach programs to deliver information about museum to the public.
****