Question : CONSTRUCTION OF INDIAN HALL IN MEXICO

(a) whether an Indian Hall has been constructed in Mexico under the Cultural Exchange Programme (C.E.P.);

(b) if so, the total amount spent thereon by the Government;

(c) whether instead of seeking the information through the state-of-the-art means of communication three officers were asked to go on a foreign tour of Mexico but they had to return from the airport due to certain reasons;

(d) if so, the expenditure incurred by the Government on the above exercise; and

(e) the action taken by the Government against the guilty officers involved in such irregularities ?

MINISTER OF TOURISM & CULTURE ( SHRI JAGMOHAN )


(a) & (b) : The National Museum had sent some exhibits to the National Museum of Culture in Mexico for setting up a Hall of Indian Culture there, at a cost of Rs.22,19,308/-.

(c) : Three Curators of National Museum were deputed to Mexico after following due procedure for setting up the Gallery in the Hall of Indian Culture in National Museum of Culture, Mexico. A message from Director, National Museum of Culture, Mexico was, however, received only after the departure of these officials that due to change in Government, they were unable to provide any hospitality and facility for setting up the Hall of Indian Culture and as such they had to return without doing any work.

(d) : A sum of Rs.5,28,843/- was incurred.

(e) : As there are no irregularities involved in this case, the question of taking action against any officer does not arise.