This is the response of the Minister of Culture and Tourism (Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat) to Unstarred Question No. 1530 in Lok Sabha, answered on 09.02.2026, regarding cooperation for archaeological excavations in Tamil Nadu. The question was raised by Smt. Kanimozhi Karunanidhi.
The response indicates the Government is aware that the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has directed the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to consider and extend cooperation to requests from the State Government of Tamil Nadu for continuing archaeological excavations at Adichanallur, Thoothukudi. Details of the proposals forwarded by the Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology for seeking approval from the Government of India, along with the number approved.
The year-wise breakdown is as follows:
* 2021: 12 Proposals, 12 Approved
* 2022: 08 Proposals, 08 Approved
* 2023: 03 Proposals, 03 Approved
* 2024: 10 Proposals, 10 Approved
* 2025: 12 Proposals, 04 Approved, 08 Under Consideration
* 2026: No data provided.
* Total: 45 Proposals, 45 Approved (with some under consideration)
Key Entities Referenced
Archaeological Survey of India (ASI): The primary agency responsible for archaeological research and protection of cultural heritage.
Tamil Nadu: The state where archaeological excavations are taking place and the State Government is seeking cooperation.
Ministry of Culture: The government ministry responsible for the subject matter of the questions.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CULTURE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1530
ANSWERED ON-09.02.2026
COOPERATION FOR ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATIONS IN TAMIL NADU
1530. SMT. KANIMOZHI KARUNANIDHI
Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware that the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has
recently directed the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to positively consider and extend full
cooperation to any request made by the State Government of Tamil Nadu for continuation of
archaeological excavations at Adichanallur, Thoothukudi;
(b) the details of the number of requests received by the ASI from the State Government of
Tamil Nadu seeking permission or cooperation for archaeological excavations during the last
five years and the current year, year-wise; and
(c) the details of the number of such requests approved, rejected or pending along with the
reasons for non-approval, if any?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM
(SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a) Yes Sir.
(b) and (c) Details of the proposals forwarded by the Tamil Nadu State Department of
Archaeology for seeking approval of the Government of India for conducting archaeological
excavation as follows:
year Proposals Approved
2021 12 12
2022 08 08
2023 03 03
2024 10 10
2025 12 04 (08*)
2026 -- --
Total 45 45
(*under consideration)
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