THE GOAN NETWORK
MAPUSA
Private museums and art galleries in Goa can now avail of annual financial assistance of up to Rs 1 lakh from the State government for maintaining their collections, improving infrastructure and enhancing visitor facilities.
The Directorate of Museums has notified a new scheme titled 'Annual Grant for Maintenance of Private Museums/Galleries in Goa', seeking to support privately managed institutions that play a role in preserving the State's cultural heritage but often face financial constraints in maintaining their collections and premises.
The scheme, notified on July 8, provides grant-in-aid of up to Rs 1 lakh to eligible institutions. The quantum of assistance will be determined based on the number of antiquities, objects or artworks preserved and the area of the museum premises.
To qualify, private museums and galleries must be registered with the Directorate of Museums or under the applicable laws governing societies and trusts in Goa.
They must have at least 50 historically or culturally significant artefacts, antiquities or contemporary artworks, remain accessible to the public and provide basic visitor facilities such as toilets and drinking water.
Applicants will also have to furnish details of their collections, organisational structure, staffing, inventory of museum objects, years of existence and visitor statistics for at least five years.
Details of any State or Central government assistance received during the preceding three years must also be disclosed.
Significantly, the scheme allows beneficiaries to utilise the grant not only for conservation and restoration of collections but also for improving the overall visitor experience.
Permitted expenditure includes purchasing conservation materials, hiring expert conservators, installing modern lighting, procuring display cases and storage cabinets, and setting up CCTV cameras, alarms and fire-safety equipment.
The grant can also be used for information boards, audio guides, digital kiosks, ramps, tactile maps, accessibility aids, training guides and improving basic amenities such as seating and drinking water facilities.
The Directorate of Museums will also have the authority to inspect institutions before releasing grants and monitor utilisation of funds.
The scheme comes with stringent financial accountability requirements. Beneficiaries must utilise the grant within one financial year and submit a mandatory utilisation certificate. Their accounts will have to be audited by a government-approved auditor or chartered accountant within six months of sanction, while audited expenditure statements and annual performance reports will also have to be furnished.
The government has stipulated that misutilisation of funds will invite recovery of the grant from the institution and its functionaries as per law.
The scheme will be reviewed after three years to assess its performance.
