Question : DEMOLITION OF RANI MANGAMMAL PALACE

(a) whether a portion of the historic Rani Mangammal Palace in Madurai built in the 17th Century by the Nayak rulers of Madurai was demolished by a contractor;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the action being taken by the Archaeological Survey of India(ASI) against the contractor;

(c) whether the State Government/Union Government had taken steps to protect/ safeguard the said historical palace;

(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and

(e) the steps proposed to be taken by ASI to protect the said historical palace?

MINISTER OF CULTURE SHRIMATI CHANDRESH KUMARI KATOCH

(a)&(b) The historic Rani Mangammal Palace in Madurai is not a centrally protected monument. However, as per the information received from the Commissioner, Department of Archaeology, Government of Tamil Nadu, legal action has been taken by the Tamil Nadu State Government against the contractor.

(c)&(d) The State Government has taken necessary steps to protect/safeguard the historical Rani Mangammal Palace in Madurai and has also initiated action to declare the palace as a State protected monument.

(e) Since the State Government has initiated action to declare the palace as a State protected monument, action on the part of Archaeological Survey of India is not required.