Lok Sabha Question No. 2166 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-08
Subject: Renovation Work of Museums
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Su Thirunavukkarasar, Ravneet Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2166 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.03.2021

## RENOVATION WORK OF MUSEUMS

## 2166.  SHRI THIRUNAVUKKARASAR SU: SHRI RAVNEET SINGH BITTU:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  it  is  fact  that  priceless  artifacts  have  been  damaged  during  the renovation work conducted in India Museum, Kolkata and if so, the details thereof along with the estimated loss incurred thereon;
- (b) whether  the  Government  has  taken  any  remedial  measures  to  protect  the priceless artifacts at various museums in the country;
- (c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d) whether it is a fact that certain other irregularities like non-adherence to financial safeguards have also been found  in  the  renovation work of India Museum, Kolkata and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the details of regulatory guidelines and measures taken by the Government to ensure safety of priceless artefacts and financial prudence in renovation work of various museums in the country?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR CULTURE & TOURISM (PRAHLAD SINGH PATEL)

- (a): Yes, Sir. During renovation of the Indian Museum building prior to bi-centenary celebrations  in  2014,  most  of  the  artifacts  were  removed  by  the  Museum Authority. Huge number of artifacts had to be handled during renovation work, and  inspite  of  best  efforts  and  due  care,  in  one  case  minor  damage  of detachment  of  parts  could  not  be  avoided.  However  no  financial  loss  has occurred.
- (b)&(c):  There  are  two  broad  categories  of  methods  which  are  used  to  have  been followed  for  protecting  priceless  artefacts;  one  is  preventive  conservation  and another is curative conservation depending upon the state of artefact. Preventive conservation is  generally followed to prevent the  artefacts from getting further deteriorated  mainly  because  of  weathering  and  other  natural  phenomena. Curative conservation is done only when the artefacts have already been affected by the weathering effect or other natural causes. Curative conservation is a sort of remedial solution to the artefacts.
- (d): Phase-I  of  modernization  work  of  Indian  Museum  was  awarded  to  NBCC  by Board of Trustees (BoT) at its meeting held on 22.01.2011. Work was executed by vendors appointed by NBCC.

Although  a  major  part  of  renovation  work  was  included  within  the  scope  of Phase-I, some important items of works were not taken up though these were initially  included  within  the  scope. Major  works  pertaining  to  providing  modern storage system, fire-fighting, fire-detection and prevention and Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) were not taken up though sanctioned.

Works  sanctioned  at  a  cost  of  Rs.  83.66  crore  were  executed  for  Rs.  105.70 crore, while works estimated to cost Rs. 25.76 crore not awarded at all by NBCC.

The  maintenance  and  remaining  renovation  work  of  Indian  Museum  buildings has now been assigned to CPWD.

- (e): In Indian Museum, safety and security of the entire premises is presently under the control of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) with effect from 24.12.2019.  The  museum  building  has  431  Closed  Circuit  Television  (CCTV) cameras to enable electronic surveillance of the entire premises. In addition, to ensure security of objects in store, SOPs have been devised to ensure maximum security to stored objects.

For all renovation work of Indian Museum, CPWD has been presently assigned this responsibility and all estimates are being placed before competent authorities for approval based on year to year budgetary provisions.

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