Parliament Question: Conservation and Maintenance of Protected Monuments

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2331 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.08.2026 CONSERVATION AND MAINTENANCE OF PROTECTED MONUMENTS 2331. SHRI RAMASAHAYAM RAGHURAM REDDY: SHRI CAPTAIN VIRIATO FERNANDES: SHRI RAJESH NARANBHAI CHUDASAMA: SMT. JYOTSNA CHARANDAS MAHANT : Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state: (a) the details of number of centrally protected monuments under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) that have been identified as requiring urgent conservation, repair or protection from encroachment, State/UT-wise, particularly district-wise in Chhattisgarh such as the Laxman Temple in Sirpur and Bhoramdeo Temple; (b) the details of budget allocation and actual expenditure for the maintenance and repair of ASI monuments, State/UT-wise, particularly in Chhattisgarh since 2022; (c) the details of current sanctioned strength and vacancies in ASI, category-wise, including archaeologists, conservation assistants, engineers, site-security staff and other technical staff including Raipur Circle; (d) whether the Government has assessed the impact of manpower and financial constraints on the conservation and maintenance of protected monuments, and if so, the details thereof; (e) the details of monuments currently entrusted to private entities, corporate bodies or other organisations for maintenance, conservation or visitor management, State/UT- wise; (f) whether any historical monuments in Chhattisgarh have been proposed or entrusted to private entities under the 'Adopt a Heritage' scheme for visitor management and upkeep; (g) whether the Government has identified any instances of non-compliance, inadequate maintenance or violation of prescribed conservation norms by such entities especially in the form of construction of structures in protected areas under ASI, particularly in village Old Goa/Velha Goa in Goa; and (h) if so, the details thereof and action taken thereon?ANSWER MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT) (a) There are 3688 centrally protected monuments and sites across the country including the Laxman Temple in Sirpur and Bhoramdeo Temple in Chhattisgarh under the jurisdiction of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). ASI undertakes conservation of these Monuments and sites as per the National Policy for Conservation, 2014 and the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) Act, 1958, along with the rules framed thereunder. Conservation and day to day maintenance, up keeping of all these monuments and sites are carried out regularly as per the need and availability of resources. All these monuments and sites are in a good state of preservation. (b) The details of budget allocated and expenditure incurred for the conservation, preservation and maintenance of centrally protected monuments in the country, State/UT-wise, including Chhattisgarh from 2021-22 to 2025-26 are given at Annexure-I. (c) The details of archaeologists, conservation assistants, engineers and other technical staff in the Archaeological Survey of India and at Raipur Circle are at Annexure-II and Annexure-III respectively. (d) The adequacy of manpower in the Archaeological Survey of India is reviewed on a continuous basis through the sanctioned strength of various Circles, which is determined keeping in view the functional requirements, number of Centrally Protected Monuments (CPMs)/sites under their jurisdiction and other administrative considerations. Deployment of available manpower is also reviewed from time to time to ensure conservation, maintenance and management of centrally protected monuments and sites. (e) Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), under the provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958, is mandated to protect, conserve, preserve and maintain Centrally Protected Monuments and Sites. Under the Adopt A Heritage 2.0 programme, ASI facilitates the development, provision and maintenance of identified visitor amenities at protected monuments through engagement with public and private entities. However, the responsibilities of such entities are strictly confined to non-conservation activities, whereas conservation and preservation of Centrally Protected Monuments/Sites are carried out exclusively by ASI. As on date, 31 MoUs have been signed under the programme. The details are at Annexure-IV. (f) As far as the Adopt A Heritage 2.0programme is concerned, no proposal regarding any protected monument in Chhattisgarh has been received by ASI from any entity. (g) No private agency has been entrusted the work of conservation and preservation of & Centrally Protected Monuments in Old Goa by ASI. (h)Annexure – I ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (b) OF THE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2331 FOR 03.08.2026. DETAILS OF ALLOCATION & EXPENDITURE INCURRED FOR CONSERVATION, PRESERVATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL DEVELOPMENT OF PROTECTED MONUMENTS DURING THE LAST FIVE YEARS. (Amount Rs. in Crore) Sl. Name of Circle 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26 No. State/UT Allocatio Allocatio Allocation Allocation n Expenditun Expenditur Allocation Expenditur Expenditur Expenditure re e e e 1. Uttar Pradesh Agra 19.35 19.35 21.27 21.15 23.52 23.52 15.90 15.90 16.30 16.30 Jhansi 4.15 4.15 7.00 7.00 5.82 5.82 6.10 6.10 8.95 8.95 Lucknow 10.44 10.44 19.03 19.03 16.93 16.93 8.91 8.91 8.30 8.30 Sarnath 5.50 5.50 10.15 10.15 11.32 11.32 7.62 7.62 10.21 10.21 Meerut 2.80 2.80 6.20 6.20 7.95 7.95 6.70 6.64 8.60 8.59 2. Maharashtra Aurangabad 8.00 7.99 18.70 18.70 26.80 26.80 8.60 8.60 10.80 10.80 Mumbai 12.00 12.00 15.35 15.35 15.56 15.56 18.19 18.19 16.94 16.94 Nagpur 4.50 4.50 5.00 4.99 10.18 10.18 10.60 10.60 15.05 15.05 3. Karnataka Bangalore 9.75 9.75 19.85 19.85 17.34 17.34 8.55 8.55 13.51 13.51 Hampi 8.00 8.00 10.00 10.00 12.25 12.25 6.52 6.52 9.08 9.08 Dharwad 7.32 7.32 10.08 10.08 9.57 9.57 7.46 7.46 6.00 6.00 4. Madhya Bhopal 11.50 11.50 14.90 14.90 17.22 17.22 12.30 12.30 12.80 12.78 Pradesh Jabalpur 4.75 4.75 8.00 8.00 9.27 9.27 7.00 6.99 6.47 6.46 5. Odisha Bhubaneswar 8.23 8.23 13.18 13.17 12.29 12.29 11.50 11.37 10.04 10.03 /Puri 6. West Bengal, Kolkata (86) 7.67 7.57 10.16 10.16 9.10 9.10 6.01 6.01 4.83 4.82 7. West Bengal, Raiganj 5.00 5.00 7.00 7.00 8.00 8.00 6.10 6.10 8.40 8.40 Sikkim 8. Tamil Nadu, Chennai 8.00 8.00 11.45 11.45 12.95 12.95 13.15 13.14 10.70 10.70 Puducherry Trichy 4.00 4.0 8.50 8.50 9.55 9.55 5.80 5.80 5.90 5.90 9. Punjab Chandigarh 1.50 1.50 6.53 6.53 11.00 11.00 8.40 8.40 12.20 12.20 Haryana Himachal Shimla 1.15 1.15 8.90 8.90 5.00 5.00 2.80 2.79 2.10 2.10 10. Pradesh 11. Delhi Delhi 19.10 19.08 30.50 30.35 36.14 36.14 24.95 24.94 42.02 42.00 (NCT) 12. Goa Goa 7.00 7.00 10.45 10.45 9.90 9.90 9.00 9.00 5.41 5.41 13. Assam Guwahati 3.30 3.30 7.44 7.44 8.78 8.78 5.72 5.71 4.46 4.46 Meghalaya Nagaland Arunachal Pradesh 14. Manipur Aizawl 1.25 1.25 2.00 2.00 1.29 1.29 1.26 1.25 1.30 1.30 Mizoram Tripura 15. Rajasthan Jaipur 7.53 7.53 10.28 10.28 12.75 12.75 10.91 10.91 8.40 8.40 Jodhpur 4.50 4.50 7.65 7.65 10.65 10.65 9.25 9.24 8.90 8.90 16. Telangana Hyderabad 7.00 6.80 15.50 15.50 14.38 14.38 6.80 6.77 14.93 14.90 17. Andhra Amravati 5.75 5.75 11.60 11.60 14.70 14.70 12.90 12.90 15.35 15.35 Pradesh 18. Bihar Patna 3.35 3.35 9.00 9.00 16.00 16.00 8.73 8.73 15.30 15.30 19. Jammu & Srinagar 2.55 2.55 6.11 6.03 7.17 7.17 4.90 4.89 5.95 5.95 Kashmir (U.T) 20. Ladakh (UT) Mini Circle Leh 0.43 0.43 1.92 1.92 3.50 3.50 2.20 2.20 4.65 4.65 21. Kerala Thrissure 6.82 6.82 7.50 7.50 7.09 7.09 6.30 6.30 4.42 4.42 22. Gujarat Vadodara 8.00 8.00 11.00 11.00 12.00 12.00 7.70 7.69 10.50 10.50 Daman & Diu (UT) Gujarat Rajkot 2.50 2.50 3.09 3.09 2.50 2.50 3.00 3.00 4.84 4.84 23. Uttarakhand Dehradun 3.75 3.75 4.85 4.85 5.42 5.42 5.10 5.10 6.80 6.80 24. Chhattisgarh Raipur 4.78 4.78 7.50 7.50 5.94 5.94 8.19 8.19 16.51 16.51 25. Jharkhand Ranchi 1.18 1.16 2.00 2.00 2.15 2.15 2.25 2.25 2.59 2.59 Chemical 6.51 6.48 9.91 9.89 8.36 8.36 3.88 3.74 6.22 6.19 Preservation (HAollr tIincduilatu)r al 19.33 19.32 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Activity (All India) DG Office 11.74 11.73 3.15 2.77 13.19 13.19 2.17 2.15 1.11 1.08 Reserve 0.02 0.00 -- -- -- -- -- -- 0.04 0.00 Total 270.00 269.57 392.71 391.93 443.53 443.53 313.43 313.04 376.88 376.67Annexure – II ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (c) OF THE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2331 FOR 03.08.2026. The details of archaeologists, conservation assistants, engineers and other technical staff in the Archaeological Survey of India. S. No. Cadre Sanctioned In position Vacancy strength 1. Archaeology 420 229 191 2. Conservation (including 831 384 447 Conservation Assistants and Engineers) 3. Other Technical Cadres 440 249 191 (Surveyor, Draftsman, Science, Epigraphy, Horticulture, Architect) 4. Miscellaneous (Library, MTS, 7064 4820 2244 Administrative, Stenographer, Photographer etc) Total 8755 5682 3073 The category-wise staff position in ASI is 2034 (UR), 1983 (OBC), 205 (EWS), 1048 (SC) and 412 (ST).Annexure-III ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (C) OF THE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2331 FOR 03.08.2026. The details of archaeologists, conservation assistants, engineers and other technical staff in the Archaeological Survey of India Details of Raipur Circle. S. No. Cadre Sanctioned Filled Vacant strength 1. Archaeologist 4 2 2 2. Conservation (Engineers, Conservation Assistants) 14 7 7 3. Other Technical Staff 5 1 4 4. Miscellaneous 45 30 15 Total 68 40 28 The category-wise staff position in Raipur Circle of ASI is 10 (UR), 14 (OBC), 2 (EWS), 8 (SC) and 6 (ST).Annexure-IV ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (e) OF THE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2331 FOR 03.08.2026. DETAILS OF MOUs SIGNED UNDER AAH 2.0 Sr. No. Monument Entity Circle State 1. Audio Guides at Multiple sites Resbird Technologies --- --- (18) 2. Qutub Minar Ease My Trip Foundation Delhi Delhi 3. Purana Qila Sabhyata Foundation Delhi Delhi 4. Safdarjung Tomb Sabhyata Foundation Delhi Delhi 5. Red Fort Dalmia Bharat Delhi Delhi 6. Ajmeri Gate Redtape Ltd. Delhi Delhi 7. Delhi Gate Redtape Ltd. Delhi Delhi 8. Kashmere Gate and Mori Redtape Ltd. Delhi Delhi Gate 9. Jantar Mantar Apeejay Parks Hotel Delhi Delhi 10. Tomb of Khan-i- Khana Inter Globe Aviation Pvt Ltd Delhi Delhi (Indigo) 11. Tomb of Najaf Khan Sawasdee Projects Pvt Ltd Delhi Delhi 12. UggarrsainkiBaoli Zee Akash News Private Delhi Delhi 13. Group of Monuments, Hauz Tata Power Trading Company Delhi Delhi Khas Ltd 14. Jantar Mantar Powerlinks Transmission Delhi Delhi Ltd 15. Mehrauli Archaeological Park Sabhyata Foundation Delhi Delhi 16. Kamalapur Museum JSW Foundation Hampi Karnataka 17. Madrasa Mahmud Gawan Shaheen Group of Institutions Hampi Karnataka 18. Group of Ancient Temples, Kakini Building Humanity Trust Srinagar Kashmir Naranag 19. Western Group of Temples, Ease My Trip Foundation Jabalpur Madhya Pradesh Khajuraho 20. Rock shelters of HEG Ltd Bhopal Madhya Pradesh Bhimbetka 21. Elephanta Caves Mahesh Enterprises Mumbai Maharashtra 22. Aga Khan Palace DCB Bank Mumbai Maharashtra 23. Konark Sun Temple Ease My Trip Foundation Puri Odisha 24. BaoriAbaneri Bisleri International Pvt Ltd Jaipur Rajasthan 25. Baori Neemrana Bisleri International Pvt Ltd Jaipur Rajasthan 26. Padma and Rani Talabs at Bisleri International Pvt Ltd Jaipur Rajasthan Ranthambore Fort 27. Kailasanathar Temple Cholamandalam Investment Chennai Tamil Nadu and Finance Company Limited (CIFCL) 28. Airavatesawara Temple Cholamandalam Investment Trichy Tamil Nadu and Finance Company Limited (CIFCL) 29. Tiger Caves Outshiny Chennai Tamil Nadu 30. Agra Fort Ease My Trip Foundation Agra Uttar Pradesh 31. Budha Budhi pond at Kalinjar Bisleri International Pvt Ltd Jhansi Uttar Pradesh Fort -----