Illicit Trafficking of Cultural Property

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The Government is taking necessary steps towards the prevention of illicit trafficking of cultural property. Besides regular watch and ward staff, Private Security Guards and Central Industrial Security Force have been deployed as per requirement at monuments, sites and museums. Whenever any theft of antiquity is reported, FIR is lodged and ‘Look Out Notice’ is issued to law enforcement agencies including Custom Exit Channels to keep vigil to trace stolen antiquity and prevent its export. A Cultural Property Agreement (CPA) has also been signed with USA on 26th July 2024 that will make easy retrieval of antiquities. 

Exhibitions and workshops are organized for public awareness. Recently, exhibitions titled, “Re(ad)dress: Return of Treasures” was held during the 46th Session of World Heritage Committee Meeting at New Delhi and exhibition titled, ‘Journey beyond the Borders: Return of Treasures’ was organized in Chennai as a part of the workshop on ‘Antiquities Trafficking Prevention’. India was also represented during UNESCO Regional Capacity Building Workshop on ‘Fighting Illicit Trafficking of Cultural Property’.

Archaeological Survey of India is committed to the protection of cultural property. Government has retrieved 655 antiquities from foreign countries from the year 1976 to 2024, of which 642 antiquities have been retrieved since 2014.

This information was given by Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

Guru-Shishya Parampara Scheme

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Ministry of Culture implements a Central Sector scheme by the name of ‘Financial Assistance for Promotion of Guru-Shishya Parampara (Repertory Grant)’. Under this scheme, financial assistance is provided to eligible cultural organizations engaged in performing arts activities like music, dance, theatre, folk art, etc. for imparting training to artists/shishyas by their respective Guru on regular basis in line with Guru–Shishya Parampara across the country. The details of scheme are given at Annexure – I.

As per the scheme guidelines of Guru-Shishya Parampara (Repertory Grant), the organizations seeking grants are required to submit their applications/proposals every year, for its renewal as well as fresh selection. The applications / proposals, complete in all respect are reviewed by the Expert Committee constituted by the Ministry for the purpose. The Expert Committee gives its recommendations taking the provisions of scheme guidelines, cultural performances / activities / resources of the organizations, justification for financial support, interaction with the Guru/representative of the organization, etc. into consideration.

The Guru-Shishya Parampara (Repertory Grant) has been encouraging artists in the field of dance, music and theatre by providing financial assistance to shishyas of age 3 year and above. Further, every year, along with Renewal category, applications are also invited from new organizations under ‘Fresh category’ to encourage budding artists in the field of performing arts including traditional art styles.

The state-wise details of number of Gurus and Shishyas provided with financial assistance including Uttar Pradesh and Haryana state under Guru-Shishya Parampara (Repertory Grant) scheme during last three years is given at Annexure – II.

This information was given by Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

Adopt a Heritage Scheme

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The “Adopt A Heritage” programme was first launched by the Ministry of Tourism in September 2017. A revamped version titled “Adopt A Heritage 2.0” was launched by the Ministry of Culture in September 2023. The program seeks to provide a framework for collaboration with private and public sector companies/NGOs/trusts/societies, etc. to   develop/provide amenities in Protected Monuments through their CSR funds to enhance the visitors’ experience and make the adopted monument visitor-friendly. The amenities are categorized into four broad categories: Hygiene, including toilets, drinking water, waste management, baby care rooms, etc.; Accessibility, including pathways, barrier-free access, battery operated vehicles, signage, landscaping, Wi-Fi facility, parking, etc.; Safety, including CCTV, lighting, illumination, cloakrooms, first aid kits, etc.; and Knowledge, including publications, souvenir kiosks, cultural/light and sound shows, AR/VR tools, cafeteria, etc.

The program is open for all protected monuments. Under this program, 21 MoUs have been executed between Archaeological Survey of India and partnering entities so far across various states. Details of the monuments adopted so far are attached in Annexure.

The adopting organisation/agency is not permitted to carry out any modification in the structure of the adopted monuments. They are only permitted to develop/provide defined amenities for visitors with the approval of the Archaeological Survey of India to enhance the visiting experience.

This information was given by Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.