GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
Ministry of Culture

RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARED QUESTION NO. 964
TO BE ANSWERED ON NOVEMEBER 18, 2010
Neglect of National Museum

964  SHRI. RAJEEV CHANDRASEKHAR:
Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

a)      Whether Government is aware that almost half of the galleries of the National Museum are shut and the remaining galleries are in a state of utter neglect; and

b)      If so, the steps Government proposes to take to preserve this valuable national treasure?

ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR PLANNING & PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS
(SHRI V. NARAYANASAMY)

(a)    & (b) Out of 26 Galleries in the National Museum at New Delhi, only 6 are temporarily closed for undertaking renovation works and for other compelling administrative exigencies. Various steps such as adoption of scientific systems for display of the artifacts, modernization of the galleries, control of heat and dust in the galleries, redoing the Central air conditioning, installation of dehumidifiers in the special exhibition hall to control humidity, installation of Security Surveillance system etc. have been taken to preserve the valuable treasure.