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Maintenance of Historical Sites

The Minister for Culture and Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation Kumari Selja has said that as per the existing policy of the Government, the monuments/sites are declared protected under “The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act 1958 (24 of 1958)” as amended by “The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendment and Validation) Act, 2010 (10 of 2010)”. In a written reply in the Lok Sabha today she said, the protected monuments are maintained and conserved by the Archaeological Survey of India as per archaeological norms and principles depending upon the availability of resources and needs of intervention. The policy of Archaeological Survey of India is to protect and preserve monuments and sites declared as of national importance without compromising their authenticity and integrity. The details are at Annexure. However there is no proposal from State Government of Rajasthan. She said, every year review of the status of monuments/sites of the ASI declared as of national importance is taken up.  A number of monuments are identified for taking up structural repairs of special nature. The conservation programme is drawn up accordingly and funds are provided for the same.  For sustained preservation of the remaining sites/monuments, routine maintenance comprising removal of vegetation, maintenance, minor repair works such as patch plastering, pointing, water-tightening, masonry, etc. is also taken up. Click here to see Annexure