Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said that the Culture Ministry is implementing the Museum Grant Scheme. Under this, financial assistance of up to Rs 15 crore will be given category wise for establishment of new museums, development of existing museums and digitization.
New Delhi [भारत]July 27 (ANI): Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said in a written reply in the Lok Sabha that the Culture Ministry is implementing the Museum Grant Scheme. Its objective is to provide financial assistance for establishment of new museums, development of existing museums, digitization of collections, creation of virtual museums and enhancing the capacity of museum professionals.
The minister said the scheme provides financial assistance to museums, societies, autonomous bodies, public sector undertakings, local bodies, educational institutions and registered trusts managed by the Central and State Governments, provided they fulfill the prescribed eligibility conditions. He further said that under the scheme, museums have been divided into three categories, which have different funding rules depending on their ownership and status.
How much help will be given in which category?
According to the minister, there is a provision of financial assistance up to Rs 15 crore for Category-I museums under the scheme. Under Category-II, assistance up to Rs 10 crore will be provided for setting up new museums and assistance up to Rs 8 crore will be provided for the development of existing museums. For Category-III museums, assistance up to Rs 5 crore is available for setting up new museums and up to Rs 4 crore for development of existing museums.
Fund also for digitization and training
Shekhawat further informed that the scheme also provides dedicated financial assistance for digitization of museum collections and training of museum professionals. He said Category-I museums can avail assistance up to Rs 50 lakh for digitization and training, while Category-II museums are eligible for assistance up to Rs 25 lakh for these activities.
Projects of national importance and promotion of tourism
The Minister said that the Culture Ministry can also take up Category-I and Category-II museum projects as projects of national importance. He said the scheme also supports online virtual museums, theme-based museums, virtual experiential museums and projects aimed at preserving and showcasing the cultural heritage of India.
Shekhawat also informed the House that the Ministry of Tourism promotes museums as tourist destinations through domestic and international promotional campaigns, participation in traveling exhibitions, social media outreach and collaboration with state governments and Indian missions abroad. (ANI)
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