(a) whether the Archaeological Survey of India has admitted that there are relics of the Jain and Buddha religion in Itakhori (Hazaribagh district) in Jharkhand;
(b) if so, the time by which the excavation work is likely to be started there;
(c) whether the Government is contemplating a plan to develop it as an important tourist spot for the followers of the Buddha and the Jain religions; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER FOR INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND CULTURE ( SHRI S. JAIPAL REDDY )
(a) The Archaeological Survey of India has inspected the site of Itakhori, Distt. Hazaribagh in Jharkhand, and found a temple site with sculptural remains of Jain, Buddhist and Brahmanical affiliation.
(b) (c)& (d) The Archaeological Survey of India is not contemplating excavation at the site at this stage, nor has it formulated any plan for developing the site as a tourist spot for the followers of Buddhism and Jainism. The site is not under the protection of Archaeological Survey of India.