Resolve bottlenecks in functioning: Minister to Asiatic Society

Union Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma on Tuesday urged The Asiatic Society here to work on identifying and resolving 'bottlenecks' and bring back the respect that the 231-year-old institution once commanded.

"My request to you is to bring back the respect... my suggestion is to identify the bottlenecks and the solution and respect has to come from the Society itself, not from the ministry officials sitting in Delhi," Sharma said during a discussion with the society's employees and management.

Officials of the society apprised the minister about salary issues, the defunct planning board and planned funds.

Sharma said he was keen to double the central funds to the society.

"I have come here to make the Rs.26 crore (planned and non-planned funds) to Rs.52 crore. I want to make it happen but what I want is an effort from all of you to come to a solution regarding the question marks that have been raised about the society," he said.

The minister also visited the Victoria Memorial Hall to take stock of managerial issues and functioning.

The Asiatic Society was established in January 1784 by William Jones with an aim to study almost everything concerning man and nature within the geographical limits of the continent.