Parliament Question: Expenditure on the Construction of Statues and Memorials

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2354 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.08.2026 Expenditure on the construction of Statues and Memorials †2354. Shri Rajkumar Roat:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

(a) the details of statues and memorials established by the Government or Government owned undertakings along with the total amount incurred on construction and maintenance thereon during the last ten years, year and State/UT-wise;

(b) whether the Government is aware that citizen have raised objections and complaints regarding large amount being incurred on statues and memorials despite the shortage of other basic amenities including education, health, drinking water and roads in various areas of the country;

(c) if so, the action taken by the Government thereon;

(d) whether the Government proposes to enforce any clear policy, maximum expenditure limit and transparent acceptance procedure for construction of statues and memorials with public fund; and

(e) if so, the details thereof and time line fixed therefor and if not, the reasons therefor? ANSWER MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a) Ministry of Culture has not established Statues and Memorials. Details of other Statues and Memorials established through Central Public Works Department (CPWD), Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs are attached as Annexure-I.

(b) No such representations/grievances received in Ministry of Culture.

(c) Not applicable in view of reply to point (b) above.

(d) No Sir.

The construction of statues and memorials with public funds, wherever undertaken, is governed by the extant policies, rules, guidelines and financial procedures applicable to the concerned Ministry/Department/organisation.

(e) Not applicable in view of reply to point (d) above.Annexure-I Details of Statues and Memorials Established through Central Public Works Department (CPWD), Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs Sl. Details of Expenditure Year Organisation No. Statues/Memorials 1 Former Prime Minister Rs. 41.34 Crore 2017-18 CPWD Late Rajeev Gandhi Memorial, Sriperumbatur, Tamil Nadu 2 National Dandi Memorial Rs. 59 Crore 2019 CPWD Complex at Dandi, Distt.

Navasri, Gujarat.

3 Ambedkar Memorial, Rs. 122.87 Crore 2018 CPWD Delhi 4 Platform for statue of Dr. Rs. 7.89 Lakh 2024 CPWD B.R. Ambedkar at Jaisalmer House, New Delhi

5. Statue of Dr. B.R. Rs. 14.56 Lakh CPWD Ambedkar in te Hon’ble Supreme Court

6. Statue of Ved Vyas at Rs. 1,95,344/- CPWD NCERT Campus, Haus Khas, New Delhi * * * * *