PATNA: Bihar boasts of its rich cultural heritage, but the neglected museums all over the state are examples of utter neglect of the antiquities related to its rich history and culture.Sources said there are 275 posts from the rank of peon to director in the 26 museums under the state government. However, only 97 officers and employees are working. Only three museums have curators and the rest are headed by Class-III employees with no decision-making authority.Even the post of director, directorate of museum (who is the head of all the museums) is lying vacant since July last year. “There are museums in Bihar which remain locked. Leave those located in the interiors, museums even in the state capital have acute staff shortage. For example, Shaheed Suraj Narayan Singh museum on Beerchand Patel Path and Brij Bihari Smriti museum on Bailey Road have no one to look after,” said an employee of the Patna museum.Another major problem is lack of security and staff in most of the museums, which pose a threat to the priceless antiquities. The archaeology wing of the state youth, art and culture department is responsible for collecting the antiquities and transporting them to the different museums. However, an official admitted laxity in the process of collecting antiquities. “Villagers do not allow our team to take the excavated statue and start worshipping them. The statues are always on the smugglers’ target as they fetch handsome prices in foreign market,” said the official. He admitted that no antiquity had been collected by the department for a long time.Even Patna museum, popularly known as ‘Jadu Ghar’, suffers from government neglect despite celebrating its centenary this year. Unlike other government buildings, it was not decked up with blue lights even on the occasion of Bihar Diwas, the employee said. This museum with around 4500 antiquities of historical importance lacks manpower. There are 79 sanctioned posts, but only 35 employees to manage this sprawling museum with exclusive artefacts. Important posts like that of additional director, curator, gallery assistant, display assistant and security officer are lying vacant.Many attribute the step-motherly treatment to the Patna museum to the upcoming Bihar museum off Bailey Road. “Patna museum is famous for 2,500 years old Didarganj Yakshi, Lord Mahavir’s statue of Mauryan period and Lord Buddha’s ashes. But talks are on to shift Didarganj Yakshi to the upcoming Bihar museum and Lord Buddha’s ashes to Vaishali museum,” the Patna museum staff said and added, “A large number of Buddhists from foreign countries visit this museum. Even local visitors throng the place in large numbers. This museum is earning good revenue. The government, instead of focusing on its development, is neglecting it.”It is to be noted that foreign tourists pay Rs250 for entry ticket and Rs500 to see the Buddha’s ashes. In winter, there is huge tourist footfall which generates good revenue. But if continued to be ignored, this museum may lose its charm, he said.

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