Lok Sabha Question No. 4580 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-22
Subject: Status of ‘Adopt a Heritage’ Scheme
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Adoor Prakash, Shobha Karandlaje

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4580 ANSWERED ON 22.07.2019

## STATUS OF 'ADOPT A HERITAGE' SCHEME

## 4580. ADV. ADOOR PRAKASH: KUMARI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) the  present  status  of  implementation  of  'Adopt  a  Heritage' scheme along with the details of MoUs signed so far;
- (b) the  details  of  sanctioned  posts,  consultants  engaged  with domain  knowledge  in  the  respective  fields  and  the  total expenditure on salaries and wages for the FY 2017-18 in ASI;
- whether  ASI  has  made  any  concerted  effort  to  fill  up  the
- (c) vacant posts and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the  details  of  Monuments  identified  for  Portal  on  'Must-See Monuments and Archaeological Sites of India'; and
- (e) the  major  Achievements  of  ASI  during  the  last  three  years along  with  the  mandate  of  Pandit  Deendayal  Upadhyaya Institute of Archaeology?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SHRI PRAHLAD SINGH PATEL)

- (a): A  total  number  of  38  Agencies  have  been  shortlisted  for submission of Vision Bid (VBs) proposal, for 102 monument/tourist sites. Under Adopt a Heritage Project, so far eleven MoUs have been signed. The details of the MoUs is attached as ANNEXURE-A
- (b): As against 8426 sanctioned posts in ASI, currently 5667 are in position.  In  addition,  20  Consultants  have  been  engaged  with domain knowledge in the respective fields. The total expenditure on salaries and wages is Rs.27721.57 lakh and Rs.2596.27 lakh respectively.

(c): As regards to the unfilled vacancies, ASI has taken up various measures to fill up the same from time to time, by taking up with UPSC/SSC  and  by holding Departmental  Promotion  Committee meetings and also by carrying out appropriate amendments in the recruitment rules of posts, wherever necessary.

(d): The  list  of  Monuments  available  on  ASI  Must  See  portal  is attached at Annexure-B.

(e): Major  achievements  of  ASI  during  the  last  three  years  is  at Annexure-C.

The  mandate  of  Pandit  Deendayal  Upadhyaya  Institute  of Archaeology, which is an Academic Wing under ASI, is as under:

- i. To provide education and training in the field of Archaeology and award the PG diploma in Archaeology.
- ii. To conduct short term courses in Museology, Conservation, Art History, Epigraphy, Numismatics, Heritage  Management,  Preservation  of  Monuments  and other related subjects. To organise seminar / workshops, conferences and special lectures on Archaeology in a benefitting manner so as to
- iii. open new areas in the field.

***************

STATEMENT IN  REPLY  TO  PART  (a)  OF  LOK  SABHA  UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4580 ANSWERED  ON 22.07.2019 REGARDING STATUS OF 'ADOPT A HERTAGE' SCHEME.

Eleven Memorandum of Understandings have been signed which are listed below along with the status of implementation:

- Adventure  Tour  Operators  of  India  (ATOAI)  for  Area surrounding  Gangotri  Temple  and  Trail  to  Gaumukh, Uttarakhand  signed  on  31-Jan-2018  -  Two  cleanliness drives  of  the  trail  completed.  Further  activities  planned afforestation  and
1. to include installation of signage, cleanliness drives.
2. Adventure Tour Operators of India (ATOAI) for Mt. Stok Kangri Trek, Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir signed on 31Jan-2018  -  have  completed  a  cleanliness  drive  of  the trek route. Further activities planned include installation of signage, dustbins and cleanliness drives.
3. M/s Dalmia Bharat Ltd. for Red Fort, New Delhi signed on 13-Apr-2018 -installation of benches & dustbins completed, advanced stage of implementation of sound & light show, visitor centre, Operation & Maintenance of toilets & water kiosks has been started.
4. M/s Dalmia Bharat Ltd. for Gandikota Fort, Andhra Pradesh  signed  on  13-Apr-2018  -installation  of  signage, benches  and  dustbins  completed,  upgradation  of  toilet has  started,  Operation  &  Maintenance  of  toilets,  water kiosks and development of pavements planned
5. M/s Bliss India Resort Pvt. Ltd. for the Surajkund, Haryana signed on 16-Sep-2018 -Planned development/Operation & Maintenance of public conveniences, Operation & Maintenance of illumination, installation of benches, cleanliness of monument
6. M/s  Apeejay  Surrendra  Park  Pvt.  Ltd.  for  the  Jantar Mantar, Delhi signed on 16-Sep-2018 -Planned cleanliness of monument, up-gradation of drinking water facilities, Wi-Fi & Audio Guide facilities
7. Yatra  Online  for  Qutub  Minar,  Delhi  signed  on  27-Sep2018 - Planned Operation & Maintenance of toilets, Wi-Fi setup, drinking water, illumination. Design stage for Digi Kiosk and ticketing counter, shoe racks, benches. Audio Guide development under progress.
8. Yatra Online for Ajanta Caves, Maharashtra signed on 27Sep-2018  Design  stage  for dustbins, Digi/ticketing kiosk,  signage,  show  racks.  Planned  drinking  water Operation  &  Maintenance,  set  up  of  benches,  ticketing kiosks, Wi-Fi etc. Audio Guide development under progress.
9. Yatra Online for Leh Palace, Jammu & Kashmir signed on 27-Sep-2018 -At design stage for exhibitions and signage. Planned cleanliness activity.
10. Yatra Online for Hampi (Hazara Rama Temple), Karnataka signed on 27-Sep-2018  -  At  design  stage  for portable kiosk, signages and dustbins. Planned setup of Wi-Fi and portable ramps.
11. M/s  Resbird  Technologies  Pvt.  Ltd.  for  Development  of Multi-lingual Audio  Guide  Application for five Iconic Tourists  Sites  (Amer  Fort,  Mahabodhi  Temple,  Colva Beach,  Kaziranga,  Kumarkom)  signed  on  24-Dec-2018  Content  approved  and  translation  &  recording  under progress
- *******

## ANNEXURE - B

STATEMENT IN  REPLY  TO  PART  (d)  OF  LOK  SABHA  UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4580 ANSWERED  ON 22.07.2019 REGARDING STATUS OF 'ADOPT A HERTAGE' SCHEME.

## ASI Must See Monuments

|   Sr. No. | ASI Monuments Name                        | ASI Circle Name   |
|-----------|-------------------------------------------|-------------------|
|         1 | Taj Mahal                                 | Agra Circle       |
|         2 | Agra Fort                                 | Agra Circle       |
|         3 | Group of Monument -FatehpurSikri          | Agra Circle       |
|         4 | Akbar's Tomb                              | Agra Circle       |
|         5 | A large temple dedicated to sun, Katarmal | Amaravati Circle  |
|         6 | Jageshwar group of temples                | Amaravati Circle  |
|         7 | Baijnath group of temples                 | Amaravati Circle  |
|         8 | Ruined Buddhist Stupa and other remains,  | Amaravati Circle  |
|         9 | Four Storeyed Rock-Cut Hindu Temple,      | Amaravati Circle  |
|        10 | Buddhist Monuments, Guntapalle            | Amaravati Circle  |
|        11 | Lower Fort (Raja and Rani Mahal),         | Amaravati Circle  |
|        12 | Ajanta Caves                              | Aurangabad Circle |
|        13 | Ellora Caves                              | Aurangabad Circle |
|        14 | Daria DaulatBagh                          | Aurangabad Circle |
|        15 | Elephanta caves                           | Aurangabad Circle |
|        16 | Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus              | Aurangabad Circle |
|        17 | Tomb of Rabia Durani (Bibi Ka Maqbara)    | Aurangabad Circle |
|        18 | Daulatabad Fort, Daulatabad               | Aurangabad Circle |
|        19 | Pandulena Caves, Mahoor                   | Aurangabad Circle |
|        20 | Aurangabad Caves, Aurangabad              | Aurangabad        |

|    |                                                  | Circle           |
|----|--------------------------------------------------|------------------|
| 21 | Hoysalesvara Temple                              | Bangalore Circle |
| 22 | Golgumbaz                                        | Bangalore Circle |
| 23 | Ancient Excavated Site Remains of Buddhist Stupa | Bangalore Circle |
| 24 | Bahamani Tombs                                   | Bangalore Circle |
| 25 | Bidar fort                                       | Bangalore Circle |
| 26 | Group of Monuments, Pattadakal                   | Bangalore Circle |
| 27 | Ibrahim Rauza                                    | Bangalore Circle |
| 28 | Jain and Vaishnava temple                        | Bangalore Circle |
| 29 | Jain temple, lakkundi                            | Bangalore Circle |
| 30 | Ancient Palace Site and Remains, Srirangapatna   | Bangalore Circle |
| 31 | Colonel Bailey's Dungeon                         | Bangalore Circle |
| 32 | Gumbaz containing Tomb of Tipu Sultan            | Bangalore Circle |
| 33 | Jumma Masjid (Masjid-E-Ala)                      | Bangalore Circle |
| 34 | Obelisk Monuments and Fort walls near the Breach | Bangalore Circle |
| 35 | Spot where Tipu's Body was found                 | Bangalore Circle |
| 36 | Sri Kanthairava Statue in Narasimha Temple       | Bangalore Circle |
| 37 | Sri Ranganatha swami Temple                      | Bangalore Circle |
| 38 | Thomas Inman's Dungeon                           | Bangalore Circle |
| 39 | Adinatha Basadi                                  | Bangalore Circle |
| 40 | Kedaresvara Temple                               | Bangalore Circle |
| 41 | Santhinatha Basadi                               | Bangalore Circle |
| 42 | Parsvanatha Basadi                               | Bangalore Circle |
| 43 | Kalyani (Ornate Stepped Tank)                    | Bangalore Circle |
| 44 | Keshava Temple and Inscription                   | Bangalore Circle |
| 45 | Keshva Temple, Somanathpur                       | Bangalore Circle |
| 46 | Palace of Tippu Sultan, Bangalore                | Bangalore Circle |
| 47 | Chitradurga Fort, Chitradurga                    | Bangalore Circle |
| 48 | Caves 1 to 20 Udaigiri                           | Bhopal Circle    |
| 49 | Gwalior Fort                                     | Bhopal Circle    |
| 50 | Shiva Temple                                     | Bhopal Circle    |
| 51 | Monument's of Chanderi                           | Bhopal Circle    |
| 52 | Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi                     | Bhopal Circle    |
| 53 | Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka                       | Bhopal Circle    |
| 54 | Khajuraho group of Monuments                     | Bhopal Circle    |
| 55 | Budhhist Caves, Bagh                             | Bhopal Circle    |

|   56 | The Palace in the Fort, Burhanpur               | Bhopal Circle       |
|------|-------------------------------------------------|---------------------|
|   57 | Hoshang Shah's Tomb, Mandu                      | Bhopal Circle       |
|   58 | Group of Monuments, Mandu                       | Bhopal Circle       |
|   59 | Roopmati's Pavilion, Mandu                      | Bhopal Circle       |
|   60 | Western Group of Temple, Khajuraho              | Bhopal Circle       |
|   61 | Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves                  | Bhubaneshwar Circle |
|   62 | Asokan rock edict and sculpture of elephant     | Bhubaneshwar Circle |
|   63 | Sun Temple, Konarak                             | Bhubaneshwar Circle |
|   64 | Rajarani Temple, Bhubaneshwar                   | Bhubaneshwar Circle |
|   65 | Ratnagiri Monument                              | Bhubaneshwar Circle |
|   66 | Ruins of Buddhist Temples and Images, Lalitgiri | Bhubaneshwar Circle |
|   67 | Sheikh Chilli's Tomb, Thanesar                  | Chandigarh Circle   |
|   68 | Suraj Kund, Lakharpur                           | Chandigarh Circle   |
|   69 | Great Living Chola Temples                      | Chennai Circle      |
|   70 | Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram             | Chennai Circle      |
|   71 | Fort Tirumayam                                  | Chennai Circle      |
|   72 | Gingee Fort (Rajgiri and Krishnagiri),          | Chennai Circle      |
|   73 | Fort Dindigul                                   | Chennai Circle      |
|   74 | Moovarkoil Kodambalur                           | Chennai Circle      |
|   75 | Rock Cut Jain Temple, Sittanasal                | Chennai Circle      |
|   76 | Natural Cavern Called Eladipallanam             | Chennai Circle      |
|   77 | Fort St. George, Chennai                        | Chennai Circle      |
|   78 | Red Fort                                        | Delhi Circle        |
|   79 | Qutub Minar                                     | Delhi Circle        |
|   80 | Humayun's Tomb                                  | Delhi Circle        |
|   81 | Sultangiri Tomb                                 | Delhi Circle        |
|   82 | Tughluqabad                                     | Delhi Circle        |
|   83 | Khan-I-Khana                                    | Delhi Circle        |
|   84 | Durga Temple, Aihole                            | Dharwad Circle      |
|   85 | Churches and convents of Goa                    | Goa Circle          |
|   86 | Vishnudol, Sivasagar                            | Guwahati Circle     |

|   87 | Sivadol, Sivasagar                          | Guwahati Circle   |
|------|---------------------------------------------|-------------------|
|   88 | Devidol, Sivasagar                          | Guwahati Circle   |
|   89 | Vishnudol, Joysagar                         | Guwahati Circle   |
|   90 | Devidol, Joysagar                           | Guwahati Circle   |
|   91 | Sivadol, Joysagar                           | Guwahati Circle   |
|   92 | Ghanashyam's House, Joysagar                | Guwahati Circle   |
|   93 | Eight cannons of the Ahoms period, Joysagar | Guwahati Circle   |
|   94 | Ranghar, Joysagar                           | Guwahati Circle   |
|   95 | Karenghar (Talatalghar), Joysagar           | Guwahati Circle   |
|   96 | Gola-Ghar or magazine house, Joysagar       | Guwahati Circle   |
|   97 | Vishnudol, Gaurisagar                       | Guwahati Circle   |
|   98 | Devidol, Gaurisagar                         | Guwahati Circle   |
|   99 | Sivadol, Gaurisagar                         | Guwahati Circle   |
|  100 | Gaurisagar Tank, Gaurisagar                 | Guwahati Circle   |
|  101 | The Ahom Raja's Palace, Garhgaon            | Guwahati Circle   |
|  102 | Group of Four Maidams, Charaideo            | Guwahati Circle   |
|  103 | Vangchhia Group of Monuments, Mizoram       | Guwahati Circle   |
|  104 | Group of Monuments, Hampi                   | Hampi Circle      |
|  105 | Bellary Fort                                | Hampi Circle      |
|  106 | Nagarjunakonda                              | Hyderabad Circle  |
|  107 | Charminar, Hyderabad                        | Hyderabad Circle  |
|  108 | Golconda Fort                               | Hyderabad Circle  |
|  109 | Warangal Fort                               | Hyderabad Circle  |
|  110 | Deeg Palaces                                | Jaipur Circle     |
|  111 | Ranthambhore Fort                           | Jaipur Circle     |
|  112 | Chittaurgarh Fort                           | Jodhpur Circle    |
|  113 | Kumbhalgarh Fort                            | Jodhpur Circle    |
|  114 | Koch Bihar Palace                           | Kolkata Circle    |
|  115 | Hazarduari Palace                           | Kolkata Circle    |
|  116 | Bishnupur Group of Temples                  | Kolkata Circle    |
|  117 | Site of Sahet-Mahet                         | Lucknow Circle    |
|  118 | Fort of Kalinjar                            | Lucknow Circle    |
|  119 | Jhansi Fort                                 | Lucknow Circle    |
|  120 | Residency Building                          | Lucknow Circle    |
|  121 | Site,Stupa& Monastery of the Sakyas         | Lucknow Circle    |
|  122 | Relic Stupa Vaishali                        | Patna Circle      |
|  123 | Nalanda Mahavihar                           | Patna Circle      |
|  124 | Laxman Temple and Old Sites                 | Raipur Circle     |
|  125 | Hidimba Devi Temple                         | Shimla Circle     |

| 126   | Rock-Cut Temples with Sculptures lying in outside   | Shimla Circle   |
|-------|-----------------------------------------------------|-----------------|
|       | and                                                 |                 |
| 127   | Buddhist Monastery (Tabo) Shimla Circle             |                 |
| 128   | Ancient Temple of Martand                           | Srinagar Circle |
| 129   | Ancient site and remains, Burzahom                  | Srinagar Circle |
| 130   | Group of Temples, Kiramchi                          | Srinagar Circle |
| 131   | Ancient Palace Ramnagar                             | Srinagar Circle |
| 132   | Avantiswamin                                        | Srinagar Circle |
| 133   | Ancient Palace, Leh                                 | Srinagar Circle |
| 134   | Kudakallu Parambu (Cheramangad)                     | Thrissur Circle |
| 135   | Sun Temple at Modhera                               | Vadodara Circle |
| 136   | Ashokan Rock Edicts                                 | Vadodara Circle |
| 137   | Champaner-Pavagarh Archaeological Park              | Vadodara Circle |
| 138   | Rani ki Vav                                         | Vadodara Circle |

*******

STATEMENT IN  REPLY  TO  PART  (e)  OF  LOK  SABHA  UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4580 ANSWERED ON 22.07.2019 REGARDING STATUS OF 'ADOPT A HERTAGE' SCHEME.

1. The  Archaeological  Survey  of  India  (ASI)  was  established  in 1861. It is an attached office of the Ministry of Culture, Government of  India.   The  organization  is  headed  by  Director  General.   ASI  is engaged  in protection, preservation and conservation of  3697 centrally protected monuments of national importance including 37 World  Heritage  Monuments  and  48  site  museums,  spread  all  over India which are directly under the ASI. The excavations of historical sites in the country in terms of Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958. ASI is also administering the Antiquities and Art Treasures Act, 197 and Indian Treasure Trove Act, 1878.
2.          ASI  has  29  Circles  which  are  headed  by  Superintending Archaeologist, besides 3 Mini Circles (Delhi, Leh and Hampi) located in the various States and Union Territories and 5 Regional Directorates  (located  at  Delhi,  Kolkatta,  Mumbai,  Bangalore,  and Bhopal) through which ASI carries out the above mentioned activities.   Besides,  there  are  6  Excavation  Branches,  2  Temple Survey  Projects,  1  Building  Survey  Project,  1  Prehistory  Branch,  1 Science  Branch,  2  Epigraphy  Branches  (one  for Sanskrit  and Dravidian at Mysore and the other for Arabic and Persian at Nagpur), and 1 Horticulture Branch having 4 Divisions at  Agra, Delhi, Mysore and Bhubaneswar.

## Major achievements

3.         PROTECTION OF MONUMENTS:
2. 3.1        Final  notifications  declaring  08  monuments  as  protected under the AMASR Act have been published in the official gazette.
3. 3.2       Preparation of Survey Maps:  As per provisions of AMASR Act, 1958 Survey Maps with  respect to  250  protected  monuments  have been prepared.
4. 3.3        Amendment of AMASR ACT:  The bill for further amendment of  the  Ancient  Monuments  and  Archaeological  Sites  and  Remains Act, 1958 (amended in 2010) as far as relating to Section 20A and consequential  amendments  thereof  has  been  passed  by  the  Lok Sabha in  the  winter  session  2017.   The  bill  was  referred  to  select Committee of Rajya Sabha.
5. 3.4        Heritage  Bye-laws:    As  per provisions  of  AMASR  Act,  1958, Heritage Bye-laws are to be prepared for all protected monuments/sites.   Heritage  bye-laws  of  70  monuments  have  been prepared and sent to National Monument Authority for notification.
6. 3.5       Sound and Light Show: Permission for sound and light show has been granted at the monuments namely (i) Ancient site, Sarnath, (ii) Diu fort Diu, (iii) Champaner Pavagard Monument, (iv) Brihadeshwara  Temple,  Thanjavur, Tamilnadu (v) Sun  Temple, Konark  (vi)  St.  Anjelo  fort,  Kannur,  (vii)  Sanchi  Stupa  and  (viii) Hindola Mahal, Mandu. Sound and light show at Konark, Sanchi and Mandu have been made operational by the respective State Tourism departments with support from ASI.
7. 3.6       Online Ticketing: 27 more monuments have been notified as ticketed monuments.  The facility for online booking of entry ticket have been extended to the 27 newly ticketed monuments in addition to the existing 116 monuments and 30 museums.  Five more reputed website  in  addition  to  Book  My  Show  and  Yatra.com  have  been identified for providing online ticket booking services.
8. 3.7        Turnstile  gates:   Turnstile  gates  for  regulating  the  entry  of visitors  have  been  installed at 9  major  monuments  and  order  for installation  of  turnstile  gates  at  03  more  monuments  have  been issued.
9. 3.8 Adarsh Smarak: Taking a holistic approach towards conservation,  development  of  centrally  protected  monuments,  ASI has identified 153 monuments, including Adarsh monuments, throughout  the  country  to  be  conserved  and  developed  as  model monuments in the first phase.  These monuments will be equipped with all basic amenities such  as washrooms,  drinking  water, signage, cafeteria, interpretation centres, wi-fi facility, etc.

Construction of toilets with modern facilities have been completed at 39 monuments.

- 3.9 ASI  Must  See  Site:  ASI  developed  and  hosted  a  separate website i.e. www.asimustsee.nic.in  features outstanding Indian monuments  and  archaeological  sites  under  the  protection  of  ASI including those that features on UNESCO's world heritage lists.
- 3.10  SWACHCHH BHARAT ABHIYAN:  The efforts to keep all the ASI monuments,  museums  and  offices clean were continued with intensified vigour as part of the Swachch Bharat Abhiyan.
- 4          CONSERVATION OF MONUMENTS:
- 4.1       The ASI undertakes Annual maintenance and Special Repairs of  the  monuments  under  its  protection.   During  the  year,  99.9%  of allocated budget for conservation has been utilized.
- 4.2 The major conservation / development works were undertaken during  the  year  at sites,  such  as  Taj  Mahal,  Agra  Fort, Red Fort, Qutub Minar, Purana Quila at Delhi, Shri Jagganath Temple at  Puri,  Sun  Temple,  Konark,  Hampi  group  of  monuments,  Hampi, Elephanta caves, Group of temples at Shivsagar in Assam, Metcalf House,  Old  currency  building,  Kolkata,  Man  Mahal,  Varanasi,  Leh Palace etc.
- 4.3     On  request  from  MEA,  ASI  also  took  up  conservation  works abroad with funding from that Ministry.  These include:

Conservation work of Ta Prohm Temple in Cambodia, Vat-Phou temple in Lao PDR, Conservation  work  of  earthquake  damaged  monuments  at Bagan in Myanmar Restoration work of My Son Group of monuments in Vietnam.

- 4.4       The work of construction of boundary walls and toilet blocks at various monuments were continued which were carried out with the assistance of WAPCOS and TCIL. Besides, various developmental works, such as, Ticket counters, Publication counters, pathways, Parking, cafeteria etc. were undertaken in 125 Adarsh and ticketed monuments.
- 4.5        Horticulture:  Horticulture  Division  of  ASI  maintains  576 gardens in the country. The Major works executed includes Red Fort, Delhi,  Qutub  Minar,  Safdarjung  Tomb,  Taj  Mahal,  Fatehpur  Sikri, Monuments at Mandu, Sanchi, Sun Temple, Konark, and Monuments at Mahabalipuram.
5. Science Branch: Main role of Science Branch of Archaeological Survey of India is the Conservation and Preservation of centrally protected monuments, heritage buildings and excavated museum objects using scientifically adopted methods. These methodologies help to maintain the aesthetic appearance of cultural heritage along with their posterity. This goal of scientific conservation and preservation of Science Branch has been achieved with its widespread network of 03 Divisional offices, 09 Zonal offices and 02 laboratories functioning across the country under the office of Director (Science), Dehradun.
- 5.1     Chemical  Conservation:  Around  134  scientific  conservation works  of  4  monuments,  paintings,  museums  and  art  objects  were executed  by  the  Science  Branch  during  the  year.  In  addition,  air quality is regularly monitored at Taj Mahal, Agra, Uttar Pradesh, BibiKa-Maqbara, Aurangabad, Maharashtra and Charminar, Hyderabad.

## 6.         ADMINISTRATION:

- 6.1        1073  vacancies  in  various  categories  of  posts  under  direct recruitment  quota  were  got  filled  up  through  UPSC  /  SSC.   80 vacancies  under  promotion  quota  were  filled  up  by  holding  timely DPCs.
- 6.2        During  the  year,  Recruitment  Rules  of  13  different  cadres, mainly of the Conservation Brach, were reviewed and the amended Rules were got notified in the official Gazette.  The draft amendment proposals  of  RRs  for  the  posts  in  the  Archaeological  Branch  have been got approved by DoP&T and have been submitted to UPSC.
- 6.3       Major official functions:  The following official functions were successfully organized during the year: Inauguration    of  new  ASI  HQ  building' Dharohar  Bhawan"  at  24,

Tilak Marg, New Delhi by the Hon'ble Prime Minister.

Commemoration  ceremony of 75th anniversary of hoisting of National Flag by  Azad Hind Fauz led by Subhash Chandra Bose by the Hon'ble Prime Minister at Red Fort, Delhi.

Inauguration of 04 newly constructed Museums by the Hon'ble Prime Minister at Red Fort, Delhi

Inauguration  of  the  new  building  of  'Pandit  Deendayal  Upadhyay Institute of  Archaeology' at Greater Noida, U.P. by the Hon'ble Prime Minister.  The building with a cost outlay of Rs.  289 crores were got completed through NBCC in a record time of 17 months.

Inauguration   of new Museum at Metcalf House, Kolkata by Hon'ble Governor, West Bengal.

- 6.4 e-Governance: Developments of all major modules/components  of  the  e-governance  project  costing  Rs.  9.00 crore were got completed by the vendor through constant monitoring and by the end of the year it was ready for roll out from the month of May, 2019.  This would connect all the field offices of ASI on a common e-platform facilitating paper-less office and speedy decision making.  This is in addition to the operation of e-office in ASI HQ since last one year.
- 6.5 e-Office in ASI Hqrs, New  Delhi: e-Office has been successfully and optimally implemented in ASI Hqrs, New Delhi with effect  from  1st  May,  2018.  Considerable  volume  of  office  work  / proposals  pertaining  to  ASI  are  being  handled  through  e-files  on ASI's e-Office.
- 6.6        Video  Conferencing:   During  the  year,  35  field  offices  have been  brought  under  video  conferencing  through  dedicated  leased line  internet  connectivity  facilitating  regular  interaction  with  these offices and obviating the need of the officers to travel often to the headquarters for official work.
7. World  Heritage: During  the year, 'Victorian  and  Art  Deco Ensemble of Mumbai' was declared as World Heritage in the 42nd Session of the World Heritage Committee meeting held in Bahrain. Thus,     India  now  has  37  World  Heritage  sites.  Besides,  India  has also  submitted  one  complete  nomination  dossier  to  the  World Heritage  Centre,  viz.,  that  of     'Rudreshwara  (Ramappa)  Temple  at Palampet, Telengana.

ASI have been successful in inscribing three sites/monuments on  World  Heritage  List,  UNESCO  in  a  row.   Details  of  which  are mentioned below:

|   S.No. |   Inscription Year | Name of the Property                  |
|---------|--------------------|---------------------------------------|
|       1 |               2017 | Historic City of Ahmedabad            |
|       2 |               2018 | Victorian Art Deco Ensemble of Mumbai |
|       3 |               2019 | Jaipur City, Rajasthan                |

8. Exploration and Excavation:

Period 2016-17 and 2017-18

Excavation at Kesariya (East Champaran), Bihar Excavation at Phupgaon (Amravati), Maharashtra Excavation at Asurgarh Fort (Kalahandi), Odisha Excavation at Gottiprolu (Nellore), Andhra Pradesh Excavation at Vadnagar, Taranga and Gunja (Mehsana), Gujarat

Period 2018-19

Excavation at Purana Qila Excavations  at  Saser  la  pass  in  Ladakh  (an  ancient  camping  site dating back to ninth millennium BC has been discovered at Saser la pass in Ladakh) Harappansite at Binjor, Sriganganagar, Rajasthan Ancient site at Barnawa, District Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh Ancient site at Sanauli, District Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh Excavations at Vadnagar, Gujarat Excavations at Rithi Ranjana, District Nagpur, Maharshtra Excavation at Urain Dist. Lakkhisarai, Bihar Excavations  at  Keeladi,  Taluk  Tirupuvanam,  District  Sivaganga, Tamilnadu - taken up by excavation Branch, Bangalore. Exploration  in  north  Cachar  Hills,  District  Dima  Hasao,  Assam  taken up by Pre-History branch, ASI, Nagpur, Maharashtra. Exploration in Singrauli and adjacent religious settlements, District Singrauli - taken up by Temple Survey of India, ASI, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.

Village to Village Survey work during 2016-18

|   S.N. | Financial Year   |   Total villages surveyed |   Number of villages yielding antiquarian remains |
|--------|------------------|---------------------------|---------------------------------------------------|
|      1 | 2016- 2017       |                      1528 |                                               462 |
|      2 | 2017- 2018       |                       576 |                                               215 |

During the field season  2018-19,  a total of 51 proposals for exploration  and  72  proposals  for  excavation  were  received  from various agencies including Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).  The following excavations  were  granted  permission  by  the ASI in respective of their field offices:

Phupgaon, Maharashtra (Excavation Branch I, Nagpur)

Kesaria, Bihar (Excavation Branch III, Patna)

Rajaona, Bihar (Excavation Branch III, Patna)

Vadnagar, Taranga and Gunja, Gujarat (Excavation Branch V, Vadodara)

Gottiprolu, Andhra Pradesh (Excavation Branch VI, Bangalore)

Asurgarh, Odisha (Excavation Branch IV, Bhubaneshwar)

Sanauli, Uttar Pradesh (Institute of Archaeology)

Janampet, Andhra Pradesh (Hyderabad Circle)

Vangchhia, Mizoram (Aizawl Circle)

Ther mound at Sirsa, Haryana (Chandigarh Circle)

Dholavira, Gujarat (Vadodara Circle)

Neolithic Sites, Dijaobra Hadin, Assam (Prehistory Branch)

Megalithic sites exploration in Nagbhid, Pauni, Brahmapuri in districts Chandrapur, Maharashtra (Prehistory Branch)

Religious architecture of Sidhi and Singrauli district, Madhya Pradesh (TSP, North, Bhopal)

Survey  of  Structural  Temples  of  Kakatiyas,  Andhra  Pradesh  (TSP, South, Chennai)

Exploration  along  dry  bed  of  River  Sarsvati,  Haryana  (Chandigarh Circle)

## 9. Epigraphy Branch:

- 9.1 Epigraphy Branch Mysore: Directorate of Epigraphy, Archaeological  Survey  of  India  conducted  epigraphical  survey  and copied 504 inscriptions from various States and photographed around 14 sealings from Bihar.
- 9.2 Epigraphy Branch, Nagpur: 111 Arabic, Persian & Urdu Inscriptions  were  copied  from  selected  locations for  decipherment and accession.  15 Scholars have been engaged for editing around 10,000 South & North Indian inscriptions.
10. Museum: Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has 48 archaeological  site  museums  under  its  jurisdiction  spreading  over the  length  and  breadth  of  India  i.e.  Kangra  (Himachal  Pradesh)  in North  to  Fort  St.  George  (Chennai,  Tamil  Nadu)  in  South  and  Sri Surya  Pahar  (Goalpara,  Assam)  in  east  to  Dholavira  (Kachchh, Gujarat)  in  west.   During  the  year  2016-19,  a  number  of  significant activities  were  carried  out  by  the  Museum  section  which  are  as under:
- 10.1.     An  exhibition  'hoard  of  Chinese  porcelain:  a  rare  discovery from Firozshah kotla' was opened at quarters guard, Red Fort, Delhi on  19th  November,  2017.  This  exhibition  presented  an  exclusive collection of 14th century's Chinese porcelain used in the kitchen of Firozshah Tughlaq.
- 10.2. Digitisation work  using Jatan software program  is under consideration at 7 more archaeological site museums of ASI.
- 10.3.    Archaeological museum, Shivpuri (Madhya Pradesh) has been opened for public on 18th may, 2018.
- 10.4. The Archaeological Museum, Lalitgiri (Odisha) was inaugurated on 05.01.2019 by the Hon'ble Prime Minister of India along with other dignitaries through video conferencing.
- 10.5.    Hon'ble Prime Minister of India inaugurated three refurbished museums at the Red Fort on 23.01.2019 namely '1857 - India's First War of Independence' at B1 Colonial Building; 'Yaad-e-Jallian' at B2 Colonial  Building;  and  'Netaji  Subhas  Chandra  Bose  and  Indian National Army' at B3 Colonial Building. Besides, a temporary exhibition  namely  'Drishyakala'  showcasing  works  of  Art  treasures and  other  Indian  art  works  from  16th  century  (Arrival  of  European artist)  till  independence  of  the  country  located  at  the  B4  Colonial Building was also inaugurated.
- 10.6.      Hon'ble  prime  Minster  of  India  along  with  other  dignitaries inaugurated a Virtual Experiential Museum at Man Mahal, Varanasi on 19.02.2019 through video conferencing.
- 10.7.    Hon'ble Minister of Culture inaugurated the Museum 'Azaadike-Diwane' at L4 Colonial Building, Red Fort, Delhi, on 04.03.2019.
- 10.8.      Hon'ble  Governor  of  West  Bengal  inaugurated  a  temporary exhibition titled 'Ami Kolkata' at Metcalfe Hall, Kolkata, highlighting the culture and traditions of Kolkata on 08.03.2019.
11.       Antiquity:
- 11.1. Hon'ble Prime Minister's visit to USA in June, 2016 facilitated return of 17 antiquities smuggled out of India to USA.  Out of these, 8 antiquities have already been returned to India and the remaining 9 are in process of return.
- 11.2. One Bronze object of Natraja and one Stone object of Ardhanarishwara from Australia have already been retrieved, while three objects  i.e.  seated  images  of  Buddha,  Pratayangira  and Buddha panel are in process of return.  One stone object of Parrot Lady from Canada and one stone object of Durga from Germany have already been retrieved.
- 11.3.   The Archaeological Survey of India successfully retrieved two illegally  exported  objects  from  Metropolitan  Museum  of  Art,  New York.  The  Mahishasurmardini  was  stolen  from  Baijnath  (Kumayun, Uttarakhand)  while  the  Bodhisattva  Head  from  Nagarjunakonda, Andhra Pradesh. Both the images brought back to India by John Guy, Senior  Curator,  The  Metropolitan  Museum  of  Art,  New  York  on 10.08.2018.
12.      National  Cultural  Fund:  ASI  has  partnered  with  several  PSUs for  funding  of  conservation  works  as  well  as  for  providing  visitors amenities at selected important monuments including World Heritage sites. The Ministry of Culture/ NCF had taken initiative for inclusion  of  'Preservation  of  Heritage  and  Promotion  of  Art  and Culture'  in  the  CSR  Guidelines  of  the  Indian  Companies  Bill,  2013 and the same was included in the guidelines for CSR finalized by the Ministry  of  Corporate  Affairs.   At  present,  there  are  12  Agencies

funding  conservation  and  amenities  related  projects  in  18  ASI protected monuments.

13.        National  Mission  on  Monuments  and  Antiquities:   National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities (NMMA) was initially approved for a period of 5 years i.e. 2007-2012 in the XI Five Year Plan  with  the  objective  to  prepare  a  National  database  on  Built Heritage and Sites from secondary sources and a National database on Antiquities from Museums and different sources in the country. To  sustain  the  momentum,  the  Standing  Finance  Committee  (SFC) recommended  its  extension  as  a  Central  Scheme  during  XII  Five year Plan (2012-2017). Keeping in view the magnitude and importance  of  the  objectives  of  NMMA,  it  has  been  decided  to continue  the  scheme  (NMMA)  with  its  merger  with  Archaeological Survey of India.
2. 13.1.     Documentation of Antiquities & Built Heritage and Sites from various Secondary Sources

NMMA  has  documented approx. 48,743 antiquities housed in Excavation Branch-II, Purana Qila, New Delhi.

As  on  31.3.2019 a  total  of  approx.  16,62,743 antiquities  have  been documented.

258 Built Heritage & Sites (unprotected) with archaeological remains have been documented through primary survey.

- 13.2   Uploading of documented data of Antiquities on the web site of NMMA

Documented data of 6,92,152 antiquities was uploaded on the web site of NMMA during the period.

Till  31.3.2019  documented  data  of  9,32,152  antiquities  has  been uploaded on the web site of NMMA.

14.        Publication:  The  Archaeological  Survey  of  India  brings  out technical  reports  primarily  prepared  by  the  officers  of  the  Survey, who  have  done  field  work  or  research  in  any  field  of  archaeology such as exploration, excavation, architectural survey, conservation, epigraphy,  numismatic,  art  and  related  aspect  which  comes  under the ambit of its activities.
2. 14.1      During  the  period  under  review  the  following  publications have been brought out or processed for printing:

## Academic Publications

- i.       Published  Excavation  Report  on  Dhalevan  (1999-2000  & 2001-2002).
- ii.       Monograph on J&K is in the final stage of publication.
- iii.      Epigraphical Publications: South Indian Inscriptions (Vol. 36 & 37); Annual Reports (2003-04 & 2017-18) have been published in the year 2018.
15.  Institute  of  Archaeology:  A  new  campus  of  the  Institute  of Archaeology  under  ASI  has  been  constructed  in  Knowledge  Park, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh. The Institute has been named as Pt. Deendayal Upadhyay Institute of Archaeolgy which has been inaugurated by the Hon'ble Prime Minister on 9th March, 2019 in the august  presence  of  Shri  Yogi  Adityanath,  Chief  Minister  of  Uttar Pradesh, Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State for Culture (I/C), Shri Arun Goel, Secretary (Culture), Smt. Usha Sharma, Director General, ASI and other dignitaries were also present during the inauguration. The Institute is now functioning from the new campus.
5. 15.1 The objective of the Institute, which is an Academic Wing under ASI, is as under:

To  provide  education  and  training  in  the  field  of  Archaeology  and award the PG Diploma in Archaeology.

To  conduct  short  term  courses  in  Museology,  Conservation,  Art History, Epigraphy, Numismatics, Heritage Management, Preservation of Monuments and other related subjects.

To organise seminar / workshops, conferences and special lectures on Archaeology in a benefitting manner so as to open new areas in the field.

## Educational Activities:

Regular classes on various subjects viz. Principles and Methods of Archaeology, Application of Science in Archaeology, Pre-history, Art and Iconography, Architecture, Epigraphy and Numismatics, Museology, Structural Conservation of Monuments, Chemical

Preservation  of  Monuments  and  Antiquities  and  Antiquarian  Laws are conducted.

16        Public Awareness Activities:

16.1      Archaeological  Site  Museum  as  well  as  Circles  celebrated following occasions by organizing heritage walks, painting competition, debate competition, cleaning of environs of the monuments  and  museums  with  the  help  of  various  school  and college students:

26th January - Republic Day 18th April - World Heritage Day (Free Entry) 18th May - World Museum Day (Free Entry) 15th August - Independence day 2nd October - Gandhi Jayanti 14th November - Children's Day 19th to 25th November - World Heritage Week (First day free entry)

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