NATIONAL CULTURE FUND

India has many strands to its cultural heritage, which require to survive, grow and evolve as living cultures.

Factors such as the pace of socio-economic and environmental changes and the advent of new technologies are posing unprecedented threats to the continuity of these cultural heritages. Increasing awareness of these threats have brought about demands from communities not only to preserve and renew their languages, traditions and culture, but also to reinvigorate their cultural identity and creativity.

In view of the increasing concern of the community to preserve and promote our heritage and to enable them to participate and contribute to its promotion, it was considered necessary to set up an organization which would facilitate and support institutions and individuals in this endeavour

The National Culture Fund (NCF) was established as a funding mechanism distinct from the existing sources and patterns of funding for the arts and culture in India. It will enable institutions and individuals to support arts and culture directly as partners with its government.

The National Culture Fund (NCF) was created as a Trust in November 1996.

The Govt. of India vide their orders in Aug.-Sep.98 notified that the donations to the national Culture Fund will be eligible for tax benefit under section 10 (23C) (iv) and 80 G(2) of the Income Tax Act.

The NCF is managed and administered by a council to decide the policies and an Executive Committee – to actualize those policies. The Council is chaired by the Union Minister of Tourism & Culture and has a maximum strength of 24 including both the Chairman and Member Secretary, A team of 19 members represent various fields including corporate sector, private foundations and not-for-profit voluntary organizations. The purpose for this structure is to increase non-government representation in the decision making process

Ancient Monuments:

Our Heritage, Our Identities Legacies of ancient civilizations leave their traces in the memories of the nations. Marvels of ancient India show the highest level of mastery in almost all spheres of life. Our ancient monuments and artifacts are part of such feats achieved by our ancestors. Undisputedly, very few civilizations of the world can match the awesome variety and infinite beauty of India’s archaeological wealth.

The British Government created Archaeological Survey of India in the year 1861, basically to carry out elaborate surveys of antiquarian remains in the country and to protect monuments and sites. Since then, the Survey is zealously guarding the treasures for the past one and half centuries. The work of the organization is spread over a large number of fields such as preservation, conservation, architectural studies, epigraphy, horticultural and environmental up gradation, underwater archaeology, just to name a few. However, there are limitations in the nature of both human resources as well as financial resources. The social demands for cultural preservation outstrips the available government resources and thus has to be met with active collaboration of governmental agencies with private ones.

BENEFITS OF NCF

(a) 100 per cent tax rebate under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act.

(b) ASI shall duly acknowledge the contributions at the site and also in its publications. Any other suggestions in this regard can also be mutually discussed upon.

(c) All activity at the adopted site is donor-specific.

(d) NCF shall be responsible for giving receipt of Income Tax exemption and accounts of utilization of the donations.

(e) Guaranteed mileage for corporate houses as they can project their donations in their advertisements and any other campaign initiated by them.

(f) Flexibility in project management through a MoU.

(g) A forum for public visibility and accountability will be set up.

(h) Revenue from the events held at site and monuments will be credited in an account jointly operated by ASI and NCF.

(i) Foreign donations are welcome. The clearance under the Foreign Contributions Regulations Act has been obtained.

(j) NCF will help propagate and inform people around the world about the heritage of India.

NCF SO FAR

NCF has actively been associated with many leading Corporate Houses, Public Sector Units, International Trusts and Funding Agencies. Following public or private sector companies had come forward and signed MoUs with Archaeological Survey of India and National Culture

Fund for preservation and conservation projects.

• Aga Khan Foundation and Oberoi Group of Hotels have completed the Project on revitalizing the garden and lighting of the main Tomb at Humayun’s Tomb Complex at a cost of Rs.2.25 crores.
• The illumination, signage, conservation works of Jantar Mantar, New Delhi involves Apeejay Surendra Park Hotels Ltd.
• The illumination, sound and light programmes and a Structural repair of  Shaniwarwada, Pune has been completed by ASI with Pune Municipal Corporation donating a sum of Rs.34.18 Lakhs.
• Indian Hotels Company Ltd. (Tata Group) has sponsored the conservation project at Taj Mahal, Agra at a cost of Rs.1.87 Crores.
• Currently Archaeological Survey of India, National Culture Fund, Indian Oil Corporation and Indian Oil Foundation has signed a MoU for five important monuments of India namely Sun Temple, Konark, Kanheri Caves ,Mumbai, Group of Temples Khajuraho, Monuments at Hampi and Warangal Fort, Warangal. Indian Oil Corporation has contributed Rs.25 Crores for this Project.
• Steel Authority of India is involved in a project for the conservation of Monuments at Lodi Garden, New Delhi and funded Rs.1.00 Crore for the purpose.
• Foreign institutions are also engaged with such projects for the heritage monuments of India. World Monument Fund is involved with a collaborative project with ASI& NCF and has contributed $43900 for Jaisalmer Fort, Rajasthan.

MONUMENTS IN NEED OF ATTENTION

Archaeological Survey of India is involved in maintenance and conservation of 3667 centrally protected monuments that are spread in all parts of the country. In this small brochure ASI has provided a list of 100 monuments for consideration. This list is only illustrative and not exhaustive or in any way binding for any forthcoming proposal which you may like to propose.

ASI welcomes you to propose the name of any of the monument(s) that is under the custodianship of Archaeological Survey of India which your esteemed organization considers ideal for preservation irrespective of the fact whether it figures in this brochure or otherwise. The terms and nature of funding that you may like to consider can be arrived at after mutual discussions. ASI shall feel privileged to help you in this regard.