Recognizing the need to introduce innovative patterns of cultural funding in India, the National Culture Fund was set up as a trust under the Ministry of Culture in the year 1996 vide notification published in Gazette of India dated 28^th November, 1996, with a purpose to augment governments efforts and to facilitate public-private partnership in the field of heritage conservation and promotion. National Culture Fund enables institutions and individuals to perform their rightful role in promoting and preserving India’s rich cultural heritage. 

National Culture Fund constitutes an important departure from the implementation strategies of the Government, which hitherto was thought to be solely responsible for providing administrative and financial wherewithal for culture related endeavors in the country.  NCF accepts private institutions and individuals as equal partners of the government in the management of the cultural heritage of India.  It enables the government to mobilize extra budgetary resources by allowing direct contributions to the NCF account maintained outside the Consolidated Fund of India.  All contributions to NCF are given 100% tax exemption under Section 80 G (2) of the Income Tax Act of 1961. 

The nature of funding has been made very flexible with the donor having an option to either execute the selected project directly wherein the donors can appoint and monitor the executive agencies to carry out the project work subject to the predefined technical/aesthetic conditions laid down by the ASI.  Alternatively, the donor can get the selected project executed through the ASI, which has the expertise to execute such projects. A Project Implementation Committee shall be set up with experts and representatives of the concerned institutions to monitor and implement the project.  A Project Advisory Committee consisting of nominees of donors, NCF and representatives of other interest groups oversee the project.  NCF facilitates all necessary clearances and permissions for the project.  ASI shall specify the general terms about the activities permissible within the protected sites. 

The NCF is accountable to each donor in respect of funds donated. The funds can be donated either in Indian currency or any foreign convertible currency.  A separate dedicated account for each project is opened by the NCF. 

The NCF is managed and administered by a council chaired by the Minister of Culture and an Executive Committee chaired by the Secretary, Ministry of Culture.  Members of the NCF Council are from corporate houses, private foundations, experts in various art forms and academicians so as to increase non-governmental participation in the decision making process. Under the NCF it is possible for a donor to identify a project along with any specific location/aspect for funding and also an agency for the execution of the project. 

PROJECTS THAT CAN BE SPONSORED UNDER NCF 

(a)  Pro-active generation of projects and sponsorship to bring about visible improvements at monuments and sites, heritage complexes and their environs. 

(b)   To bring monuments back into the lifestyle and culture of local communities.

(c )  Promotional activities in the form of organized concerts, theatre, cultural shows, location shoots for films T.V. lectures, community festivals etc. be permitted wherever feasible as per ASI regulations.

(d)   Environmental development in an around the heritage sites.

(e)  Structural conservation, chemical preservation and refurbishment of the monuments.

(f)    Display of cultural notice boards, direction boards, signage etc.

(g)   Providing visitor friendly amenities.

(h)    Providing popular authentic historical literature.

(i)    Improvement and upgradation of existing museums and commissioning of new ones in the vicinity of existing cultural property.

(j)    Illumination of monuments.

(k)   Facility for tourists such as cafeterias, parking lots, landscaping, setting up of information centres, kiosks, cyber-cafes, souvenir shops etc. 
 

BENEFITS OF NCF

(a)  100 per cent tax rebate under Section 80 G 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 camapign intiated 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 propogate 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.
• illumination, signage, conservation works of Jantar Mantar, New Delhi involves Apeejay Surendra Park Hotels Ltd.
• The Illumination, sound and light programmes and 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 have 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 Lodhi 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 Monuments Fund is involved with a collaborative project with ASI & NCF and has contributed $ 43900 for Jaisalmer Fort, Rajasthan.

 
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