APPENDIX N
REQUEST OF THE CENTRAL ADVISORY
 BOARD OF MUSEUMS FOR GREATER
 COOPERATION FROM THE STATE
 GOVERNMENTS IN IMPLEMENTING THE
 RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE BOARD
 FOR THE REORGANISATION AND
 DEVELOPMENT
 

Explanatory Memorandum

At its first meeting, held in September, 1956, the Central Advisory Board of Museums, accepted with slight modifications, the recommendations of the Expert Museum Survey Committee appointed earlier in April, 1955, to survey the needs of museums in India and to make concrete proposals for their improvement.

The recommendations of the Board were circulated to all the State Governments in October, 1956. They were also requested in September, 1956 to make adequate budget provision for the 'Development and Reorganisation of Museums' in their States. It was also made clear to them that the Central Government's quota of assistance would not exceed 50 per cent of the total development cost. They were advised to bear this in mind while framing revised budget for 1956-57 and estimates for 1957-58.

The question of giving grants to various museums by the Central Government was also considered by the Standing Committee of the Central Advisory Board of Museums at its meeting held in January, 1957. The Committee recommended that the financial assistance by the Central Government should be given for specific schemes for the development of museums of an all-India character and importance, the principal State Museums and the University Museums. In February, 1957 all the State Governments were requested to send their detailed proposals for reorganisation and development of museums so that they could be considered and necessary grants given from the Central funds. till now no State Government has sent any definite proposals for consideration.

The Central Advisory Board of Museums at its second meeting held in December, 1957 felt great disappointment at the lack of cooperation shown by the State Governments for the development of their museums. The Board emphasised the need for greater cooperation from State Governments. The State Education Ministers and other State representatives are requested to make adequate provision for museums development in their schemes under the Second Five-Year Plan and send their specific schemes to the Ministry of Education at a very early date. It is hardly necessary to emphasize the educational role of museums.