[CPProt.net] Hands tight in Delhi vise - LIBRARY, MUSEUM MESS

[Museum Security Network / Cultural Property Protection Net (Ton Cremers)]

Hands tight in Delhi vise - LIBRARY, MUSEUM MESS  
TAMAL SENGUPTA 
  
National Library, like Indian Museum, is short-staffed and operations are
suffering. A Telegraph picture  
The authorities at Indian Museum and National Library are finding it
difficult to run the organisations to the optimum level, thanks to certain
curbs imposed by the Centre on recruitment of staff at these two premier
city institutes.

Both institutions are faced with an acute shortage of staff, and both are
impeded by the Centre's recruitment policy in rectifying the situation. The
vacancy chart reads: 75 at the museum (sanctioned strength 260) and 265 at
the library (strength 781). 

Due to the shortage of staff, the museum authorities have closed down a
number of galleries. Similarly, cultural exchanges between National Library
and institutions in 95 other countries have been affected, as there is no
senior official at the gift and exchange department of the library.

Stock verification at the library is not being carried out properly as 22 of
the 25 posts in the department are vacant.

Both institutions are finding it difficult to fill up the vacant posts
because of the Centre's policy. The government has set up a screening
committee - comprising secretaries of the departments of culture, education,
tourism and finance - to monitor the recruitment process of prominent
institutions, like the museum and the library.

"This committee was set up following the Centre's decision to optimise the
direct recruitment scheme. Under the scheme, we have to keep the committee
informed about our staff requirement. And without the panel's consent, we
cannot fill up a vacant post," said a senior museum official.

The galleries at the museum that have been kept closed include that of
painting (art section), ecology, geology (which houses precious stones and
fossils) and insect (zoology section). "We require at least eight employees
to run a gallery. But presently, we are not in a position to engage more
than one for each," said director Shaktikali Basu.

Basu admitted that following the recent theft of a Buddha head, the
authorities were apprehensive about keeping all the galleries open. "No one
will spare us and listen to our problems if another exhibit gets stolen. So,
we don't take the risk of keeping the galleries open without adequate
security," he added.

A senior official said at least 300 employees were required for all 38
galleries. Basu told Metro that he would take up the issue with the Union
government. "I have already informed them about the problems we are facing
in running the museum."

National Library director Sudhendu Mandal said he had approached the Union
department of tourism and culture and sought help in filling up the vacant
posts.
 
http://www.telegraphindia.com/