Panaji: Govt has notified a new scheme offering annual financial assistance of up to Rs 1 lakh to eligible private museums and galleries in the state.According to the scheme, financial assistance will be provided for the maintenance and conservation of collections, restoration and preservation work, and improvements to museum infrastructure.The grant can also fund modern lighting systems, display cases and storage cabinets, CCTV cameras, alarms and fire safety equipment. It will also 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, have clear objectives for cultural preservation and public education, and house at least 50 historically or culturally significant artefacts or contemporary artworks. They must also be open to the public and provide basic amenities, including drinking water and toilets.The quantum of assistance, capped at Rs 1 lakh, will be determined based on the number of objects preserved and the area of the museum premises.Applicants will have to submit details of their collections, inventory, organisational structure, registration documents and visitor statistics for at least five years, along with information on govt assistance received during the previous three years.An expert committee and departmental committee will oversee evaluation, approval, and monitoring of grants. The scheme will be reviewed after three years.
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