Centre to support historical monuments in NE under NCF

Agartala, Jul 20 (UNI) The Centre has assured the Northeastern states to extend financial support for proactive generation of projects to improve monuments and heritage sites and their environs in the region.

Official sources here today said recognising the need to introduce innovative patterns of cultural funding in India, the Ministry of Culture set up a separate trust with a purpose to augment government efforts and to facilitate public-private partnership in the field of heritage conservation and promotion.

In first phase, National Culture Fund(NCF) would enable institutions and individuals to fulfil their duties to promote and preserve India's rich cultural heritage in the NE.

Altogether, 17 historical monuments in the NE had been proposed for NCF, officials said.

Explaining the initiative, the officials said besides bringing the monuments back into the lifestyle and culture of local communities, promotional activities in the form of organised concerts, theatre, cultural shows, location shoots for films and television, lectures, community festivals would also be permitted, wherever feasible, as per Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) regulations.

Besides, environmental development in and around the heritage sites, structural conservation, chemical preservation and refurbishment of the monuments, display of cultural notice boards, direction boards, signage, providing visitor friendly amenities would be taken care of under the project.

Recently, ASI, NCF, Indian Oil Corporation and Indian Oil Foundation signed a MoU for five important monuments of India, namely Sun Temple, Konark, Kanheri Caves, Mumbai, Khajuraho, monuments at Hampi and Warangal Fort, Warangal.

NCF was actively associated with many leading corporate houses, Public Sector Units, international trusts and funding agencies while Indian Oil Corporation contributed Rs 25 crore for the project, as it had the provision of 100 per cent tax rebate under Section 80 G of the Income Tax Act.

Foreign institutions were also engaged with such projects for the heritage monuments of India. World Monuments Fund was involved with a collaborative project with ASI and NCF and contributed USD 43,900 for Jaisalmer Fort, Rajasthan, sources added.

UNI