**Policy Summary: Maintenance and Beautification of Ancient Heritage in Assam, with a focus on Dhubri District**
This document summarizes the Indian Ministry of Culture's response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3609, concerning the maintenance of ancient monuments in Assam, particularly in the Dhubri district. The response, delivered on August 11, 2025, by the Minister of Culture and Tourism, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, outlines the schemes implemented by the government for the preservation of ancient monuments under the care of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
Currently, there are 55 centrally protected monuments/sites in Assam, including two in the Dhubri district. The conservation and maintenance of these sites is an ongoing process, contingent on the specific needs of each monument and the availability of resources.
Expenditure incurred on the conservation and maintenance of monuments/sites in Assam, including those in Dhubri District, over the past five fiscal years is as follows:
* 2020-21: ₹2.58 Crore
* 2021-22: ₹2.92 Crore
* 2022-23: ₹6.26 Crore
* 2023-24: ₹7.55 Crore
* 2024-25: ₹3.80 Crore
The response indicates that the government undertakes special steps for the maintenance and beautification of the ancient heritage in Dhubri as needed. The specific details of these steps are not provided in this summary but are likely addressed within the broader context of ongoing conservation and maintenance efforts.
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.
MD. RAKIBUL HUSSAIN: A member of Lok Sabha who raised an unstarred question about the maintenance of ancient monuments in Dhubri.
Assam: A state in Northeast India where the maintenance of ancient monuments is being discussed.
Dhubri district: A district in Assam, India, specifically mentioned in the question regarding the maintenance of its ancient heritage.
SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT: The Minister of Culture and Tourism who provided the answer to the Lok Sabha question.
Archaeological Survey of India: An Indian government agency attached to the Ministry of Culture that is responsible for archaeological research and the conservation and preservation of cultural monuments in the country.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CULTURE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3609
TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.08.2025
MAINTENANCE AND BEAUTIFICATION OF ANCIENT HERITAGE OF DHUBRI
3609. MD. RAKIBUL HUSSAIN
Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:
(a) the details of the schemes being implemented by the Government for the
maintenance of ancient monuments in the State of Assam, particularly in Dhubri
district;
(b) the details of the expenditure incurred on the maintenance of each monument of
the State during each of the last five years;
(c) whether the Government proposes to take any special steps for the maintenance
and beautification of the famous ancient heritage of Dhubri; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM
(SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a) There are 55 nos. of centrally protected monuments/sites under the care and
to maintenance of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in the State of Assam
(d) including 02 number of monuments in Dhubri district. Conservation and
maintenance of these monuments/sites is a regular process and is taken up as
per the need of the monument and availability of resources.
The details of expenditure incurred for conservation and maintenance of
monuments/sites in Assam, including Dhubri District, during the last five years
are given as under:-
S. Year Expenditure incurred
No. (Amount Rs. in Crore)
1. 2020-21 2.58
2. 2021-22 2.92
3. 2022-23 6.26
4. 2023-24 7.55
5. 2024-25 3.80
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