Lok Sabha Question No. 164 (STARRED), answered on 2016-11-28
Subject: Historical Monuments and Archaeological Sites
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: VINOD KUMAR BOIANAPALLI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.164 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.11.2016 AGRAHAYANA 7, 1938 (SAKA)

## HISTORICAL MONUMENTS AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES

## *164. SHRI B. VINOD KUMAR :

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of ASI's protected historical monuments and Archaeological sites in the country;
- (b) the revenue earned through sale of tickets and other heads, along with expenditure incurred on their maintenance annually, during the last two years and the current year, separately;
- (c) whether the Government has declared all such monuments and sites as 'Polythene Free Zones'; and
- (d) whether the Government has taken initiative to provide various facilities including Protected Boundaries, Toilets and Friendly Access to Differently-abled persons in these Monuments and sites and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE, CULTURE AND TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)

(DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

(a)to(d) A Statement is laid on the table of the House.

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) TO (d) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.164 FOR 28.11.2016

- (a) There  are  3686  historical  monuments  and  Archaeological  sites  declared protected  as  of  National  importance  by  the  Archaeological  Survey  of India(ASI)  in the country
- (b) The  details  of  revenue  earned  from  ticketed  monuments  alongwith  site museums through entry fee during the last two years and current year and revenue generated from other heads is as under:

|                                | Revenue   | Rupees in crores Revenue   |
|--------------------------------|-----------|----------------------------|
| 2014-15                        | Rs.95.71  | Rs.4.77                    |
| 2015-16                        | Rs.95.69  | Rs.5.35                    |
| 2016-17 (upto September, 2016) | Rs.80.47  | Rs.3.33                    |

The amount spent on conservation of all centrally protected monuments/sites  of  National  importance  including  ticketed  monuments  in the  country  during  the  two  years  and  current  year  (upto  15 th September, 2016) is as under:

|                                     | Rupees in crores   |
|-------------------------------------|--------------------|
| 2013-14                             | Rs.235.28          |
| 2015-16                             | Rs.238.62          |
| 2016-17 (upto 15 th November, 2016) | Rs.191.50          |

- (c) Yes, Madam.  Archaeological Survey of India has declared all ASI protected Monuments  and  Archaeological  Sites  as  'Polythene  Free  Zone'.      All  the field  offices  of  ASI  have  been  directed  for  necessary  compliance.    In  this regard  Secretary  (Culture)  has  also  issued  a  D.O.  letter  to  all  the  Chief Secretaries  of  States  for  their  active  cooperation  for  making  centrally protected monuments as polythene free zone.
- (d) Most of the monuments were fenced and protected area is defined. Basic tourist amenities such as drinking water, toilet blocks, facilities for physically challenged, pathways, cultural notice boards/signage, vehicle parking, cloak rooms,  etc.  are  being  provided  at  important  tourist  visited  ASI  protected monuments.