PANAJI
The State government has announced financial assistance of Rs five lakh each to those setting up a new private museum and for the development of infrastructure of existing museums.
The Directorate of Museum has devised a scheme called ‘Scheme for Financial Assistance to Museums’, under which one museum would be selected annually. The scheme will be reviewed after five years as per the performance of the scheme.
As per the scheme, museums engaged in the promotion, preservation and conservation of cultural heritage like antiquities, numismatics, paintings, folk art, manuscripts and other similar items that reflect Goan history, life or culture will be able to avail the financial grant from the state. The state may also consider any museum based on a novel idea for the sanction of the grants.
“The objective of the scheme is to provide financial assistance for setting up private museums and for professional development of the existing museums, managed by individuals, institutions, voluntary organizations, trusts etc. registered under the Registration of Societies Act of 1860, and/or Indian Trust Act of 1882 in the State of Goa or possessing recognition certificate from Department of Museum and having land or building in its own name or leased property with lease of minimum 30 years,” the notification reads.
An expert committee has been up by the state which will prepare a report on the museums which seek the grant, where it will check if the museums have the infrastructural facilities, resources and personnel to execute the work for which financial assistance has been sought.
The first instalment will be 50% of the grant, sanctioned and released immediately on approval by the Expert Committee, with the prior approval of the government. The second instalment of 25% will be released by the government only after the grantee has utilised 80% of the first instalment and an assessment/recommendation of the Expert Committee. The balance of 25% will be released after full utilisation of the first and second instalments.
