**Summary:**
This document summarizes the Indian Ministry of Culture's response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 167 regarding the development and conservation of ancient religious sites in Bihar, particularly within the Buxar Lok Sabha Constituency, including Kaimur district. As of July 21, 2025, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is responsible for 70 centrally protected monuments/sites in Bihar, including 3 within the Buxar Lok Sabha Constituency. The conservation and maintenance of these sites is an ongoing process, subject to requirements and resource availability. The expenditure incurred for conservation and maintenance of these monuments in Bihar over the past five financial years is as follows: 2020-21 (₹1.23 Crore), 2021-22 (₹3.35 Crore), 2022-23 (₹9.00 Crore), 2023-24 (₹16.00 Crore), and 2024-25 (₹5.33 Crore). The allocated budget for the financial year 2025-26 (up to July 15, 2025) is ₹4.50 Crore. The Minister of Culture and Tourism, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, provided this information.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Culture: A ministry of the Government of India responsible for the preservation and promotion of art and culture.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India.
Bihar: A state in eastern India where ancient religious sites are being conserved.
Archaeological Survey of India (ASI): An Indian government agency responsible for archaeological research and the conservation and preservation of cultural monuments in the country.
Buxar Lok Sabha Constituency: A parliamentary constituency in Bihar, specifically mentioned in the context of development and conservation of ancient religious sites.
Kaimur district: A district in Bihar, included in the Buxar Lok Sabha Constituency, where ancient religious sites are located.
SHRI SUDHAKAR SINGH: Member of Parliament who raised the question regarding the development and conservation of ancient religious sites in Bihar.
SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT: Minister of Culture and Tourism, responsible for answering the question in the Lok Sabha.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CULTURE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.167
TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.07.2025
DEVELOPMENT AND CONSERVATION OF ANCIENT RELIGIOUS SITES IN BIHAR
167. SHRI SUDHAKAR SINGH:
Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:
(a) the details of the ancient religious places and temples being conserved by the
Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in Bihar, particularly in the Buxar Lok Sabha
Constituency including Kaimur district;
(b) whether the Government is considering the development and conservation of the
said places, particularly in the Buxar Lok Sabha Constituency including Kaimur
District;
(c) if so, the details thereof; and
(d) the category-wise details of total amount utilized for the said purpose during the
last five years and the amount proposed to be utilized during the current year?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM
(SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a) There are 70 centrally protected monuments/sites including ancient religious
to places and temples under the jurisdiction of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)
(c) in the the state of Bihar including 3 nos. in Buxar Lok Sabha Constituency.
Conservation and maintenance of these centrally protected monuments/sites is a
regular process and is taken up as per the requirement and availability of
resources.
(d) The details of total amount utilized for the conservation and maintenance of
centrally protected monuments including religious places and temples in Bihar
during the last five financial years and the amount proposed to be utilized during
the current financial year are given as under:-
(Amount Rs. in Crore)
S. No. Year Expenditure incurred
1. 2020-21 1.23
2. 2021-22 3.35
3. 2022-23 9.00
4. 2023-24 16.00
5. 2024-25 5.33
6. Allocation for 4.50
2025-26
(up to 15/07/2025)
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