(a) whether the Government have drawn a special plan to preserve/improve ancient heritage sites/monuments/ forts/temples in Orissa;
(b) if so, the details of the funds allocated for this plan; and
(c) the special steps being taken to create a new atmosphere around these monuments particularly the Sun Temple?
MINISTER FOR TOURISM AND CULTURE (SHRI JAGMOHAN)
(a) Yes Sir, for developing the environs around the Sun Temple Konark a detailed plan has been drawn up and proposals are being formulated for improving Buddhist sites at Lalitgiri, District Cuttack, Ratnagiri, Udaigiri Distt. Jajpur, Asokan Edict at Dauli and Jaina Caves at Udaigiri and Khandagiri.
(b) As the proposals are still at the planning stage no specific funds have been allotted yet.
(c) All shops, tourist huts, restaurants, documentation-cum-cultural-information centres, parking lots etc at Sun Temple, Konark are to be grouped and re-organised in two complexes at a distance from the monument and soft light beam provided for illumination of the complex.