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Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat informed the Lok Sabha in a written reply that the Ministry of Culture is implementing the Museum Grant Scheme to provide financial assistance for the establishment of new museums, development of existing museums, digitisation of collections, creation of virtual museums and capacity building of museum professionals.
The Minister said the scheme extends financial support to museums managed by Central and State Governments, societies, autonomous bodies, public sector undertakings, local bodies, academic institutions and registered trusts, subject to the prescribed eligibility conditions. He added that museums are classified into three categories under the scheme, with separate funding norms based on their ownership and status. According to the Minister, the scheme provides financial assistance of up to Rs 15 crore for Category I museums, up to Rs 10 crore for setting up new Category II museums and up to Rs 8 crore for the development of existing Category II museums. For Category III museums, assistance of up to Rs 5 crore is available for establishing new museums and up to Rs 4 crore for the development of existing museums. Shekhawat further stated that the scheme also provides dedicated financial assistance for digitisation of museum collections and training of museum professionals. He said Category I museums can receive assistance of up to Rs 50 lakh for digitisation and training, while Category II museums are eligible for assistance of up to Rs 25 lakh for these activities. The Minister said the Ministry of Culture may undertake Category I and Category II museum projects as projects of national importance. He added that the scheme also supports online virtual museums, theme-based museums, virtual experiential museums and projects aimed at preserving and showcasing India's cultural heritage. Shekhawat also informed the House that the Ministry of Tourism promotes museums as tourism destinations through domestic and international promotional campaigns, participation in travel exhibitions, social media outreach and collaborations with State governments and Indian Missions abroad. (ANI)
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