Parliament Question: Conservation and Maintenance of Protected Monuments

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.†2420 TO BE ANSWERED ON 15.12.2025 CONSERVATION AND MAINTENANCE OF PROTECTED MONUMENTS †2420. SHRI BALYA MAMA SURESH GOPINATH MHATRE:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

(a) the details of the number of National Monuments (Protected Monuments) which are currently in a dilapidated conditions along with the State/UT-wise;

(b) whether the Archaeological Survey of India (ASl) has sufficient budget and staff for the conservation of all monuments;

(c) whether the Government is reviewing the “Adopt a Heritage” scheme to hand over the maintenance of monuments to private companies or trusts; and

(d) whether the Government is planning to renovate and digitize the Central Museums, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor? ANSWER MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a) There are 3685 centrally protected monuments/sites under the jurisdiction of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in the country. Conservation, preservation and maintenance of these monuments/sites is a regular process and is taken up as per the requirement and availability of resources subject to the National Policy for Conservation.

All these monuments/sites are in a good state of preservation.

(b) ASI has sufficient budget and staff for conservation of all centrally protected monuments/sites which are under the jurisdiction of ASI.

(c) The Adopt A Heritage 2.0 program for protected monuments of national importance was launched in September 2023 to create a framework for engaging with private/public sector companies and NGOs/ Trusts/ Societies, etc., to develop/provide a group of amenities at protected monuments to enhance visitors' experience and make them visitor- friendly. The work is performed by such agency under the supervision of ASI.

(d) Ministry of Culture operates Museums Grant Scheme under which financial assistance is

provided for setting up of New Museums/development of the existing museums/digitisation of museums and training of professionals of museums managed by Central/State Governments, Societies, Autonomous Bodies, Local Bodies, Academic Institutions and Trusts registered under the societies Act. The digitization of antiquities of selected museums under Ministry of Culture is processed under JATAN Portal.

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