Question : PRESERVATION OF CULTURAL HERITAGE CENTRES

(a) the details of the cultural heritage centres and heritage spots identified in the various parts of the country during each of the last three years and the current year, State/UT and location wise;

(b) the number of proposals received by the Government/ Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) from various States for inclusion, preservation and conservation of these sites along with the present status thereof, State/UT-wise;

(c) the details of the States which have requested to provide separate grants for maintenance of heritage structures and the action taken thereon, State/UT-wise;

(d) the number of cultural heritage centres preserved and maintained in the country along with the funds sanctioned, released and utilized for the purpose during the said period, State/UT-wise; and

(e) the steps taken by the Government/ASI for promotion of such preserved cultural heritage in the country?

MINISTER OF STATE (IC) CULTURE & TOURISM (SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK)

(a) As per the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958, ancient monuments or archaeological sites and remains, as the case may be, which are of historical, archaeological or artistic interest, and have been in existence for not less than 100 years, may be declared by the Central Government as of national importance. During the last three years five monuments/sites have been declared as of national importance.

(b) Presently there are 25 proposals received from various parts of the country for protection of monuments. As per sub-section 4(1) of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958, the Central Government may after detailed scrutiny, verification of revenue records, ownership issues, preparation of site plan, etc. take a decision to issue notification in the Gazette of India inviting objections/suggestions from interested persons on its intention to declare the same as of national importance. The list of monuments/sites (State-wise) identified for declaration as of national importance have been mentioned in Annexure-I.

(c) The details of the States to which separate grants for maintenance of heritage structures, temples, monuments etc. is allocated under the XIII Finance Commission are at Annexure-II.

(d) The State-wise expenditure incurred for conservation, preservation and maintenance of centrally protected monuments/sites during the last three years is at Annexure-III.

(e) Protected monuments/sites under ASI are conserved, preserved and maintained by way of structural repairs on priority basis, as per archaeological norms, subject to availability of resources. In addition, providing tourist related amenities (e.g. drinking water, toilet blocks, facilities for physically challenged, pathways, cultural notice boards/signage, vehicle parking, cloak rooms, etc.) at the centrally protected monuments/sites is the regular activity which the Archaeological Survey of India undertakes as per norms and availability of resources.