India, June 9 -- The higher and technical education department on Monday constituted a manuscript advisory committee to strengthen the preservation and conservation of rare manuscripts, ancient texts and historically significant documents housed in public libraries across the state.

Announcing the initiative, higher and technical education minister Chandrakant Patil said the committee would play a key role in protecting valuable archival material.

The committee has been established under the Maharashtra Public Libraries framework to provide expert guidance on the conservation of old and rare books, manuscripts, periodicals and other documents of educational and historical importance. The director of libraries is appointed as the chairpe...