Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Nov 8: The Goa government has notified a new scheme offering annual financial assistance of up to Rs 1 lakh to eligible private museums and galleries in the state to support the maintenance, conservation and preservation of their collections and improve infrastructure.

Under the scheme, financial assistance will be provided for the maintenance and conservation of collections, restoration and preservation work, and infrastructure upgrades.

The grant can also be used to install modern lighting systems, display cases, storage cabinets, CCTV cameras, alarms and fire safety equipment. It will cover visitor amenities such as information boards, audio guides, digital kiosks, accessibility facilities and trained guides.

To qualify, private museums and galleries must be registered with the Directorate of Museums or under applicable laws, and should have clearly defined objectives relating to cultural preservation and public education. They must house at least 50 historically or culturally significant artefacts or contemporary artworks.

The institutions must also remain open to the public and provide basic amenities, including drinking water and toilet facilities.

The quantum of financial assistance, capped at Rs 1 lakh annually, will be determined based on the number of objects preserved and the area of the museum premises.

Applicants will be required to submit details of their collections, inventory, organisational structure and registration documents, along with visitor statistics for at least five years. They must also provide details of government assistance received during the previous three years.

An expert committee and a departmental committee will oversee the evaluation, approval and monitoring of grants under the scheme.

The government has stated that the scheme will be reviewed after three years.