Lok Sabha Question No. 13 (STARRED), answered on 2017-07-17
Subject: Protection of Artefacts
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: KRUPAL BALAJI TUMANE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION No. 13

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 17.07.2017

## PROTECTION OF ARTEFACTS

## †*13 .  Shri Krupal Balaji Tumane

Will the Minister of Culture be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  several  invaluable  ancient  artefacts  have  been  kept  in  the  open  in various museums of the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof, museum-wise and the reason therefor;
- (c) the details of the cases of theft noticed in these museums during the last three years, year-wise and museum-wise;
- (d) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  review  the  security  norms  in  various museums; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government to protect the antique artefacts?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE (IC) CULTURE  & TOURISM

## (DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

(a) to (d): A Statement  is laid on the table of the House

## STATEMENT  REFERRED  IN  REPLY  TO  PART  (A)  TO  (E)  OF  LOK  SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 13 FOR REPLY ON 17.07.2017

- (a)  & (b) Some artefacts of Museums have been displayed in open area to attract visitors.  Details of such artefacts for Museums under Ministry of Culture are at Annexure-A.
- (c) No report of theft has been received from these Museums during the last three years.

(d)  & (e)  Government of India, for ensuring safety and security of Museums and its artefacts, has formulated a comprehensive Security Policy for all Museums under its control. As per recommendations contained in the Security Policy, Govt. has directed all museums to implement the following:

1. Automated  Boom  Barriers  and  Under  Vehicle  scanners  at  the  entry and exit gates.
2. Relocating  and  upgrading  personnel  frisking  and  baggage  screening points at the entry and exit gates.
3. Provision of required number of right type of Hand Held Metal Detector (HHMD), Door Frame Metal Detector (DFMD) and baggage screening machines.
4. IP  based  CCTV  facility  at  identified  locations  linked  to  the  Security control room.
5. Provision of security lights at desired locations.
6. Use of RFID (radio frequency identification device) tags for entry and exit of every individual.
7. RFID tags for museum objects.
8. Key management through RFID system.
9. Intruder Alarm System alongwith Infrared based security system.
10. Dedicated Security Force for museums and monuments.
11. Review  and  Rectification  of  all  the  security  measures  at  each  and every time.
12. Fixing periodicity of checks of security provisions including efficiency of security personnel at the museums.

## ANNEXURE-A

## ANNEXURE REFERRED IN PART (b) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 13 DUE FOR ANSWER ON 17.07.2017 REGARDING 'PROTECTION OF ARTEFACTS'

|   Sl. No. | Name of the Museum                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     | Details                                                                                   |
|-----------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|         1 | NATIONAL MUSEUM, DELHI                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 | There are 120 stone sculptures in open air and 16 stone sculptures in Inner Open Rotunda. |
|         2 | ALLAHABAD MUSEUM, ALLAHABAD                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            | 40 stone sculptures and fragments have been displayed to attract visitors.                |
|         3 | INDIAN MUSEUM,KOLKATA                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  | 28 stone objects have been displayed in open air.                                         |
|         4 | Archaeological Site Museum at Nalanda (Bihar), Velha (Goa) , Halebidu (Karnataka), Hampi (Karnataka), Aihole (Karnataka), Badami (Karnataka), Bijapur (Karnataka), Chanderi (Madhya Pradesh), Gwalior (Madhya Pradesh), Khajuraho (Madhya Pradesh), Sanchi (Madhya Pradesh), Konark (Odisha), Chennai (Tamil nadu), Sarnath (Uttar Pradesh) , Residency Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh), Tipu Sultan Palacemuseum, Srirangapatnam (Karnataka), Archaeological Site Museum, Amravati (Andhra Pradesh), Archaeological Site Museum, Chandragiri (Andhra Pradesh) | In 18 ASI site museums 3199 antiquities are displayed in open air.                        |