Question : UPGRADATION OF KABIR SADHNA STHAL

(a) whether a proposal was forwarded to the Union Government by Varanasi Development Authority in the year 2002 with regard to development and upgradation of Kabir Sadhna Sthal, Kabirchaura and his birth place in Varanasi;

(b) if so, the action taken by the Government thereon;

(c) the number of proposals received so far by the Government for development of these historic and cultural places during the last three years alongwith the decisions taken in this regard; and

(d) the basis on which the aforesaid decisions were taken?

MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF TOURISM AND CULTURE (SMT. AMBIKA SONI)

(a)&(b) No proposal from the Varanasi Development Authority was received in the Ministry of Culture.

(c) & (d) A proposal submitted by Satguru Kabir Smarak Sansthan, Distt. Sant Kabir Nagar was received by the Ministry of Culture in February, 2004 involving a cost of Rs.10 crores. The proposal was placed before the Expert Committee of the Ministry of Culture relating to the Scheme “Assistance to Voluntary Organizations/Societies for Development and Maintenance of National Memorials” in its meeting held on 27.10.2004 but the same was not agreed to since the relevant Scheme provides assistance for maintenance of existing memorials upto a maximum limit of Rs.5lakhs only.