Air India paintings to be handed over to culture ministry, not being sold: Union minister Jayant Sinha

In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, he said the government has decided that the paintings would not be sold.

NEW DELHI: Paintings in possession of Air India that are the "precious heritage of the country" will be handed over to the Ministry of Culture, Union minister Jayant Sinha said today.

In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, he said the government has decided that the paintings would not be sold.

"The paintings and artefacts will be preserved and displayed at National Gallery of Modern Arts (NGMA), an organisation under the Ministry of Culture," he said.

Most of the paintings with Air India are kept at its office in Nariman Point, Mumbai.

"Paintings under possession of air India are the precious heritage of the country," the Minister of State for Civil Aviation said.

Further, he said the ministry has formed a committee of persons, who are well-versed in art collection and restoration process as well as have technical expertise to oversee the work.

The decision also comes against the backdrop of proposed disinvestment of debt-laden Air India failing to find buyers in May.

The prized collections of Air India include works of legendary artists like M F Husain, Anjolie Ela Menon and Jatin Das.