The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has 3696 monuments under protection, which are spread throughout the country. These monuments exhibit India’s rich cultural heritage and play a significant role in fostering economic growth.
The Government of India has urged corporate and other stakeholders to come forward and help improve the upkeep and rejuvenation of India’s rich cultural heritage, which aligns with the vision of ‘Virasat Bhi, Vikas Bhi’. Under this programme, ASI invites corporate stakeholders to enhance the amenities at the monuments by utilizing their CSR funds. The programme is a revamped version of the earlier scheme launched in 2017 and clearly defines the amenities sought for different monuments as per the AMASR Act 1958.
To sustain the rich artistic legacy, heritage sites occasionally require enhancing amenities. To this end and to further enhance visitors’ experience, ASI launched the “Adopt a Heritage 2.0” programme on 4th September 2023.
The stakeholders can apply to adopt a monument or specific amenities at a monument through a dedicated web portal with www. indianheritage.gov.in, which contains details of monuments sought for adoption, gap analysis, and financial estimation of amenities.
The ‘Adopt a Heritage 2.0’ programme seeks to foster collaboration with corporate stakeholders through which they can contribute to preserving these monuments for our upcoming generations”, said the minister. The process for selection will be carried out after due diligence, discussions with various stakeholders, and assessment of the economic and developmental opportunities at each monument.
The selected stakeholders will develop, provide, and maintain amenities in the categories of hygiene, accessibility, safety, and knowledge. In doing so, they will get an opportunity to be recognized as a responsible and heritage-friendly entity. The appointment will initially be for five years, which may be extended to five years.
According to the Ministry of Culture, CSR Funds can be a tool for corporates profiting from sustainable heritage conservation goals. In fact, the Government’s idea has been supported by many historians. There are many benefits to the private sector’s involvement in heritage conservation.
The Corporate Social Responsibility rules framed by the Government of India include protecting national heritage, art, and culture, including restoring buildings and sites of historical importance and works of art, setting up public libraries, and promoting and developing traditional arts and handicrafts. Funding dedicated to such activities helps maintain our heritage and improves the lifestyle and livelihood of the people associated with it.
The Corporate Social Responsibility rules outlined by the Ministry of Culture India consist of many things. The first is conserving national culture and heritage; the latter is rehabilitating historical buildings and sites. A Blog on the Ministry’s website highlights that to stand firm and at the top with an ideal image for the public is what most companies want. A better image equals secured customers and higher profits.
Mostly, what might stand as resistance can be turned into resources with the slightest bit of innovation in business toward social problems. A company may achieve a peak of profit in the long term if provided with a supportive and better society. Besides economic growth, heritage conservation leads to higher tax revenues and property values.
Since heritage conservation produces increased tax revenue, This brings us to another question: “Is the CSR exempted from the 80G Income Tax Act”? CSR expenditure isn’t subject to specific tax exemption, as is its contribution to activities like rural development, Prime minister relief fund, and scientific research. According to the particular criteria, CSR is eligible for deduction under the 80G.
The Cultural Minister of India made policies for CSR, which, through deeper thought, can be distinguished as compliance and firm commitment. To improve the lives of the underprivileged and provide them with adequate support as mentioned under Section 135 of the Companies Act 2013 and Companies (CSR Policy) Rules 2014. It was also structured that companies working on a project of at least three months must follow 2% of their net profit to the CSR.
So, CSR is one of the few tools available in the private sector to complete its mission of heritage preservation. Heritage programs that provide support through infrastructural development or promote the site through domestic tourism can achieve this culture and heritage preservation. At a base level, the main motive is to establish the necessity of tangible and intangible heritage and how it can be conserved within the mainstream CSR domain.
The National Culture Fund (NCF), a trust under the Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India, Serves as a financing mechanism for enabling donor/ sponsor institutions to support the Protection, Restoration, Conservation and Development of India’s rich tangible and intangible culture and heritage(Monuments/Cultural Traditions) directly as partners with the Government. Funding projects through NCF under CSR recognizes that corporate social responsibility is not merely compliance; it is a commitment to support initiatives that measurably improve the initiatives largely in the Nation’s interest.
