Parliament Question: Conservation of Historical and Cultural Heritage of Sitapur

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †3776 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.03.2026 CONSERVATION OF HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL HERITAGE OF SITAPUR †3776. SHRI RAKESH RATHOR : Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government is aware of the fact that several historical and cultural sites such as Khairabad Imambara, Bhulbhulaiya, Astik Baba Temple, Narottam Das Memorial and Suryakund Tirtha in Sitapur district are in a dilapidated and neglected conditions; (b) if so, the specific steps taken by the Government for conservation, restoration and development of these sites; (c) whether any special budget allocation or schemes are being implemented by the Government at the local level for preservation of cultural heritage; (d) whether local communities, voluntary organizations and experts are being involved in conservation of these sites; (e) whether the Government proposes to include these sites in the list of Centrally Protected Monuments; and (f) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor? ANSWER MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT) (a) There are 3686 nos. of centrally protected monuments under the jurisdiction of to Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in the country. ASI takes up conservation and (c) preservation works of these monuments/sites as per the need and availability of resources. However Khairabad Imambara, Bhulbhulaiya, Astik Baba Temple, Narottam Das Memorial and Suryakund Tirtha in Sitapur district are not notified as Centrally Protected Monuments by Archaeological Survey of India. The details of last three years allocation and expenditures on all centrally protected monuments/ sites are as under:- (Amount in Crores) S. Year Allocation Expenditure No. incurred 1. 2022-23 392.71 391.93 2. 2023-24 443.53 443.53 3. 2024-25 313.43 313.04 4. 2025-26 375.28 333.92 (upto 05.03.2026)(d) ASI is taking all necessary steps to undertake the overall conservation and development work of its Centrally Protected Monuments. On various occasions; ASI Circles are organising exhibitions/seminars/heritage-walks to increase awareness of the local communities towards the conservation of Centrally Protected Monuments and to protect the monuments for the posterity, in which many experts from the local area as well as from outside are also being invited to deliver lectures. ASI also prioritizes the local employment through engaging Local Artisans, Masons and other skilled/unskilled labourers such as Rajmishtri from traditional families. (e) Protection of ancient monuments/archaeological sites and remains is a continuous process. & Monuments and Sites are assessed on the basis of their archaeological, historical, and (f) architectural significance, and those found worthy are declared as monuments/sites of national importance as per the provision of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) Act, 1958. At present, there is no proposal to include these sites in the list of Centrally Protected Monuments. -----