Govt to set up more museums across the country

In a bid to attract more people towards antiquities, the government has decided to provide financial assistance for setting up new museums in the country, a move recommended by the Planning Commission.     

"We have decided to provide financial assistance upto Rs 6 crore for setting up of new museums as part of the revised scheme for promotion and strengthening of museums across the country," a senior Culture Ministry official said.     

Besides encouraging new museums to come up, the ministry has also chalked out plan to increase footfalls in the existing museums.     

"Training and refresher courses for the museum staff are to be included as an integral part of the revised scheme now," the official said.     

Over the years it has been felt that existing financial parametres are not adequate to cover the assistance to the museum, he said.     

Keeping the evolving social environment in mind, there is a need to redefine the role of museums to keep pace with the changing times and make it relevant to the social and technological milieu, he added.     

"It was felt that museum movement in the country will not grow and we will not be able to take them closer to the people if assistance is not provided for setting up new museums," the official said.     

The move followed the recommendations made by the Planning Commission to set up new museums under the 11th Five Year Plan.