Lok Sabha Question No. 152 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-04
Subject: Restoration of Konark Temple
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: KULAMANI SAMAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION  NO. 152 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.02.2019

## RESTORATION OF KONARK TEMPLE

## 152.    DR. KULAMANI SAMAL:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether there exists a restoration rule for activities of restoration taken up by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and if so, the salient features and cases of violation of such rule by the ASI during the last five years;
- (b) whether ASI has taken up restoration of the Sun Temple at Konark and if so, the details of the restoration work targeted, completed so far and the target date  of  completion  of  such  work  along  with  money  spent  for  the  said purpose, year-wise;
- (c) whether 40 per cent of old artistic stone carvings of the Konark temple have been replaced by the ASI with plain stones if so, the reaction and the steps taken by the Government to put in place similar artistic stone carvings in the said monument;
- (d) the steps taken by the Government to strengthen the Konark temple so far, and
- (e) whether the Government has any mechanism to check the wrong doings of ASI in this regard and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR CULTURE AND MINISTER OF STATE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE. (DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

- (a) The conservation work of the monuments is executed by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) as per the Conservation Policy of ASI and International  Charters  of  Conservation  of  Monuments  recognized  by  the UNESCO.  The  salient features of such conservation rules includes maintaining  the  authenticity  and  integrity  of  the  monument  and  not  to attempt any restoration without sufficient available evidence.   There is no violation by the ASI of any prescribed guidelines and rules.
- (b Yes Madam, ASI is attending essential  conservation work  of Sun Temple Konark  regularly,  as  conservation  work  of  monuments  is  a  continuous process.  The necessary conservation and maintenance work is executed as per the requirements at the monument and availability of resources.  The expenditure  incurred  for  conservation  of  Sun  Temple  Konark  during  last three years is given below:
- (c) No  Madam,  the  restoration  work  as  per  the  original  has  been  executed wherever  sufficient  evidence  was  available.    The  plain  work  has  been attended for structural stability where adequate evidence of original design was not available. The work has been executed as per the archaeological norms and principles.
- (d) Conservation and strengthening work of Sun Temple Konark is ensured by
- & attending essential   repairs regularly and replacement of decayed fabric as
- (e) per the archaeological norms.  ASI is taking full care of the monument and there  are  no  wrong  doings.  Necessary  control  mechanism  of      Central Government is applicable to ASI also.

|   S. No . | Year    | Expenditure incurred (Amount in Rs.)   |
|-----------|---------|----------------------------------------|
|         1 | 2015-16 | 2,83,89,335/-                          |
|         2 | 2016-17 | 1,04,89,295/-                          |
|         3 | 2017-18 | 85,75,855/-                            |