Patna: Aficionados of culture and heritage have resented the decision of the department of art and culture, Bihar, to impose hefty charges on entry to the state owned museums and archaeological sites.
The department of art and culture on December 10 notified entry fee for all state museums, which were till now free for the visitors. As per the notification, all adults, above 12 years, will have to pay ₹50 each as entry fee to visit the museums. Children between five and 12 years will be charged ₹10.
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Adult visitors from other countries will have to pay ₹300 each, whereas children will be charged ₹100 to visit the museums.
Many historians and retired museum officials wondered about the state government’s decision to impose such a heavy entry fee, claiming that the museums, which are quite rich in resources and artifacts, levy nominal charges.
Former director, museums, Bihar, UC Dwivedi said that the entry fee was really very high in keeping with affordability of the people in different parts of the state. “Patna museum, which had thousands of artifacts and archaeological displays, used to charge ₹15 per individual till it was closed for renovation. Though it is being managed and maintained by the society,” he said.
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There are as many as 25 state museums, including Gandhi Ashram, Bhitiharwa, Darbhanga Museum, Lakhisarai Museum, Nardah Sangrahalay, Nawada, etc. However, barely six to seven museums received good footfall, while the rest are rarely visited by the people.
Former head of the ancient history, culture and archaeological department, GD College, Begusarai, Shailesh Kumar Sinha also frowned at the government’s decision on entry charge and said that the efforts should be made to encourage the people to visit the museums and know about their cultural and historic legacy.
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A former curator of the Patna Museum said that the archaeological site museum at Vikramshila in Bhagalpur charges nothing from the visitors, while Vaishali museum maintained and managed by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has ₹10 as entry charge. Even the world famous Nalanda Museum has ₹5 entry charge and people have to pay ₹20 to visit the Nalanda Vishwavidyalaya ruins.
