Parliament Question: Development of cultural infrastructure in Maharashtra

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 4356 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.04.2026 DEVELOPMENT OF CULTURAL INFRASTRUCTURE IN MAHARASHTRA 4356. SHRI DHANANJAY BHIMRAO MAHADIK: Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state: (a) the details regarding the development of museums, libraries and other cultural infrastructure in Maharashtra during the last five years; (b) how many new institutions have been established and how many existing ones have been upgraded or modernized; (c) the measures being implemented to digitize archives, promote public engagement and facilitate educational programmes; and (d) the manner in which the Ministry coordinates with State authorities to ensure accessibility, maintenance and community participation, thereby preserving historical artifacts, manuscripts and cultural knowledge, promoting learning and enhancing the State’s cultural identity and heritage for researchers, students and the general public? ANSWER MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM (GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT) (a) and (b) The details of the development of museum financed under Museum Grant Scheme and under the administrative jurisdiction of ASI in the State of Maharashtra during the last five years are at Annexure-I. Libraries fall under the State List as per the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India, and libraries function under the administrative control of the respective State or Union Territory Authorities. The establishment of new libraries is within the purview of the concerned State Government/UT Administration. Accordingly, information regarding the total number of new public libraries established is not maintained by this Ministry.However, Raja Rammohun Roy Library Foundation (RRRLF), an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Culture, provides financial assistance for development of public libraries across the country including Maharashtra under its various approved Matching and Non-matching schemes which encompasses the purpose to enrich the knowledge resources of public library, procurement of library furniture, construction of library building, for establishment of children corner, knowledge corner and for creation of facilities for Divyangjan Readers and modernization of public library services by procuring computers, printers etc. with active cooperation of the respective State / UT Library Authority. Financial assistance under various schemes of RRRLF for development of public libraries across the country is provided based on the eligible recommended application submitted by the State/UT public library authority duly approved by the State Library Planning Committee of the respective State/ UT. Financial assistance released under various schemes of RRRLF in Maharashtra over the last five year is as under:- Year Amount of financial assistance No. of libraries released (Rs. in Lakh) assisted 2020-21 180.65 1675 2021-22 166.73 12219 2022-23 86.23 55 2023-24 173.89 1111 2024-25 112.84 213 Further, financial assistance released and number of libraries assisted by Raja Rammohun Roy Library Foundation (RRRLF) for development of public libraries in Maharashtra on the basis of the recommended applications received under the scheme “Assistance to Public Libraries for Modernization of Library Services” is as under Year Amount of financial assistance No. of libraries assisted released (Rs. in Lakh) 2020-21 247.02 404 2021-22 0 0 2022-23 0 0 2023-24 105.00 150 2024-25 120.00 160 National Mission on Libraries (NML) Scheme, under its Setting up of NML Model Library component, provides financial assistance to 1 State Central Library and 1 District Library in each State /UT, as per the recommendation of the State/UT Authorities concerned and 6Libraries identified by Ministry of Culture. As recommended by the Competent Authority of the Department of Libraries, Government of Maharashtra, One (1) District Library and One (1) Divisional Library were developed under NML Model Library Scheme. The details are given below: Library Name Amount Total amount Amount Released Remarks Sanctioned Released (In. Lakhs) during (In. Lakhs) (In. Lakhs) last (5) Five Years District Library, 21.90 18.43 2.68 Project Nandurbar Completed Govt. 60.55 57.21 17.35 Divisional Library, Aurangabad (c) Digitization of archival records is being undertaken by the National Archives of India under the Ministry of Culture with the objective of preserving valuable documentary heritage and facilitating wider access to archival records. As part of this initiative, archival records are being systematically digitized and their metadata is being created and integrated into the Archival Information Management System. The digitized records are being made available through the portal Abhilekh Patal, which serves as a national digital platform for archival resources (d) Ministry of Culture operates Museum Grant Scheme under which financial assistance is provided for setting up of new museums/development of existing museums/digitization of museum collection and training to the museum professionals of museums by Central/State Governments and Public Sector Undertakings, Societies, Autonomous bodies, Local Bodies and Trust registered under the Societies Registration Act 1860 at the regional, state and district level. In order to seek financial assistance under Museum Grant Scheme, a proposal is required to be submitted to the Ministry in the prescribed proforma alongwith all relevant documents for consideration by the Expert Committee constituted for this purpose. The guidelines of the Museum Grant Scheme are available on the website of the Ministry at www.indiaculture.gov.inAnnexure-I ANNEXURE REFERRED IN PART (a) and (b) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4356 DUE FOR ANSWER ON 02.04.2026 REGARDING “DEVELOPMENT OF CULTURAL INFRASTRUCTURE IN MAHARASHTRA”. Year-wise details of the Development of Museum under the Museum Grant Scheme during the last five financial years. S. No. State Name of Organization Type of Type of museum museum 1. Maharashtra Funds & Properties of the Parsi Existing Development of Punchayet Bombay, of Framji existing museum Dadabhoy Alpiwalla Museum, Dr. Dadabhai Naoroji Road, Fort, Mumba 2. Symbiosis Society's for Existing Development of Development of Asian Cultural existing museum Museum, Pune Archaeological Survey of India S. No. State Name of Organization Type of Type of museum museum 1. Maharashtra Museum on Mahatma Gandhi, Aga Existing Existing museum Khan Palace, Pune, Maharashtra *****