**Executive Summary**
This report details the Ministry of Culture’s initiatives and financial assistance provided for the development of libraries and museums in Maharashtra between 2020 and 2025. Submitted to the Rajya Sabha on April 2, 2026, it outlines funding for infrastructure, modernization of library services, and the digitization of archival records for public access. No immediate action items are required other than the ongoing implementation of these development schemes.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Library Infrastructure and Financial Aid**
* The Raja Rammohun Roy Library Foundation (RRRLF) provides financial support for library resources, furniture, and building construction in Maharashtra.
* Specific focus is placed on creating children’s and knowledge corners and establishing facilities for Divyangjan readers.
* Financial assistance under general RRRLF schemes peaked in 2021-22, assisting 12,219 libraries.
* Libraries are being modernized with the provision of computers, printers, and other technical equipment.
* **Modernization and National Mission Schemes**
* The "Assistance to Public Libraries for Modernization of Library Services" scheme released ₹120.00 lakh in 2024-25, assisting 160 libraries.
* Under the National Mission on Libraries (NML), development projects were undertaken for the District Library in Nandurbar and the Govt. Divisional Library in Aurangabad.
* The District Library, Nandurbar project is officially marked as completed.
* **Digitization of Archival Records**
* The National Archives of India is systematically digitizing archival records to preserve documentary heritage.
* Metadata for these records is integrated into the Archival Information Management System.
* Public access to these resources is facilitated through the national digital portal, "Abhilekh Patal."
* **Museum Development and Grants**
* The Museum Grant Scheme supports the development of existing museums, including the Framji Dadabhoy Alpiwalla Museum and Symbiosis Society's Asian Cultural Museum.
* The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) maintains existing infrastructure such as the Museum on Mahatma Gandhi at Aga Khan Palace in Pune.
**Impact Analysis**
**Public Libraries in Maharashtra**
**Impact**
They receive significant financial support to upgrade physical infrastructure, purchase equipment, and modernize services to better serve diverse reader groups.
**Action Required**
Libraries must apply through recommended applications to receive assistance under modernization and development schemes.
**Researchers and the General Public**
**Impact**
They benefit from improved access to valuable documentary heritage and archival resources via digital platforms.
**Action Required**
Users can utilize the "Abhilekh Patal" portal to access digitized records and metadata.
**Cultural and Museum Organizations**
**Impact**
Existing museums gain access to government grants for preservation and development of cultural infrastructure.
**Action Required**
Eligible organizations must ensure development projects align with the Museum Grant Scheme's objectives for existing facilities.
Key Entities Referenced
Maharashtra: The primary state of applicability for the cultural infrastructure development projects and financial assistance detailed in the document.
Raja Rammohun Roy Library Foundation (RRRLF): An organization under the Ministry of Culture providing financial assistance for the development, modernization, and resource improvement of public libraries.
Museum Grant Scheme: A program providing financial support for the development and modernization of existing museums.
National Mission on Libraries (NML) Scheme: An initiative focused on the infrastructure development of district and divisional libraries.
National Archives of India: The agency responsible for digitizing archival records and providing digital access to documentary heritage through the Abhilekh Patal portal.
Ministry of Culture
PARLIAMENT QUESTION: DEVELOPMENT OF
CULTURAL INFRASTRUCTURE IN
MAHARASHTRA
Posted On: 02 APR 2026 5:04PM by PIB Mumbai
By PIB Mumbai
The Ministry of Culture is committed towards preservation and development of
Museums and establishment of new libraries in state of Maharashtra. Raja
Rammohun Roy Library Foundation (RRRLF), an organization under the Ministry
of Culture, provides financial help to develop public libraries across India,
including Maharashtra. It supports improving library resources, buying
furniture, constructing buildings, setting up children’s and knowledge corners,
creating facilities for Divyangjan readers, and modernizing libraries with
computers, printers, and other equipment.
Financial assistance released under various schemes of RRRLF in Maharashtra
over the last five year is as under:-
Year Amount of financial No. of libraries
assistance released (Rs. assisted
in Lakh)
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 thescheme “Assistance to Public Libraries for Modernization of Library Services” is as
under
Year Amount of financial No. of libraries
assistance released (Rs. in assisted
Lakh)
2020-21 247.02 404
2021-22 0 0
2022-23 0 0
2023-24 105.00 150
2024-25 120.00 160
Under the National Mission on Libraries (NML) Scheme, two libraries were developed
in state of Maharashtra The details are given below:
Library Amount Total Amount Remarks
Name Sanctioned amount Released
Released (In. Lakhs)
(In.
during last
Lakhs) (In.
(5) Five
Lakhs)
Years
District 21.90 18.43 2.68 Project
Library, Completed
Nandurbar
Govt. 60.55 57.21 17.35
Divisional
Library,
Aurangabad
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.The Year-wise details of the Development of Museum under the Museum Grant
Scheme during the last five financial years are as follows:
S. State Name of Type of Type of
No. Organization museum museum
Maharashtra Funds & Properties Existing Development
of the Parsi of existing
Punchayet museum
Bombay, of Framji
Dadabhoy Alpiwalla
Museum, Dr.
Dadabhai Naoroji
Road, Fort, Mumba
Symbiosis Existing Development
Society's for of existing
Development of museum
Asian Cultural
Museum, Pune
Archaeological Survey of India
S. State Name of Type of Type of
No. Organization museum museum
Maharashtra Museum on Mahatma Existing Existing
Gandhi, Aga Khan museum
Palace, Pune,
Maharashtra
This information was submitted by Minister of Culture and Tourism Shri.
Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in the Rajya Sabha today (2nd April 2026).
***
Sauraubh Khedke/Parshuram kor
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