(THE GIST OF PIB) National Culture Fund

(JULY-2024)

Recently, the Union Minister for Culture and Tourism informed Lok Sabha about the National Culture Fund.

It was set up as a Trust on 28th November, 1996 under the Charitable Endowment Act, 1890 with a view to mobilize extra resources through Public Private Partnerships (PPP) towards promoting, protecting and preserving India’s tangible & intangible cultural heritage

To administer and apply the Fund for conservation, maintenance, promotion, protection, preservation and up-gradation of monuments protected or otherwise;
To impart training and facilitate development of a cadre of specialists and cultural administrators
To facilitate in providing additional space in existing museums & construct new museums to accommodate or create new & special galleries.
Documentation of cultural expressions and forms that have lost their relevance in contemporary scenarios and are either fading out or facing extinction.

It is managed and administered through a Governing Council chaired by the Hon’ble Minister of Culture and has a maximum strength of 25 members to decide the policies.
An Executive Committee headed by Secretary (Culture) and has a maximum strength of 11 Members, to execute those policies.
Donations to the National Culture Fund are eligible for 100% tax benefit under Section 80G (ii) of the Income Tax Act, 1961.
NCF’s activities are covered under Schedule VII No. (v) of the Companies Act, 2013 as valid receptacle of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) contribution under: - Protection of national heritage, art and culture including restoration of buildings and sites of historical importance and works of art; setting up public libraries; promotion and development of traditional arts and handicrafts.”
Annual Accounts are audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.
NCF can receive donations from Corporates, PSUs, Trusts and Individuals for maintenance and preservation of Centrally Projected monuments/ cultural projects through NCF. All donors/sponsors have the responsibility to comply with the terms & conditions of the MoU agreed for any particular project.