Lok Sabha Question No. 2107 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-08-05
Subject: Repatriation of Indian Artefacts
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Dr. D. Purandeswari, Shri Naresh Ganpat Mhaske, Shri Praveen Patel

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-2107

ANSWERED ON- 05/08/2024

## REPATRIATION OF INDIAN ARTEFACTS

## 2107.   SHRI PRAVEEN PATEL:

SHRI NARESH GANPAT MHASKE:

SMT. DAGGUBATI PURANDESWARI:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:-

- (a) the  details  of  the  recent  achievements  and  budget  allocation  for  bringing  back  Indian artefacts from abroad;
- (b) the  data  on  artefacts  that  have  been  repatriated  since  2014,  and  from  which  countries were they brought back;
- (c) the  details  of  the  impacts  observed  on  cultural  heritage  preservation  and    public awareness due to the repatriation of these artefacts, supported by relevant data, and
- (d) the measures taken by the Government to reduce artefacts smuggling from the country along with data thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

- (a) Total  345  antiquities  have  been  repatriated  from  different  countries  since  2014.  No specific budget is allocated for repatriation of the antiquities. Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) makes expenditure from its available budget as per requirement.
- (b) Country-wise list is annexed as ' Annexure I '.
- (c) Public  interest  has  increased  towards  the  cultural  heritage.  Various  exhibitions  and workshops  have  been  organized  by  the  Archaeological  Survey  of  India  for  public awareness. For instance, exhibitions of repatriated artefacts curated during G-20 meeting at Khajuraho and World Heritage Committee meeting at New Delhi were appreciated by the delegates and visitors. Selected repatriated antiquities are also displayed for the public in the gallery at Purana Quila.
- (d) ASI  works  in  coordination  with  different  law-enforcement  agencies  for  preventing smuggling of artefacts. Whenever any theft of antiquity is reported, FIR is lodged in concerned police station and 'Look  Out  Notice'  is  issued  to  law  enforcement  agencies  including  Custom  Exit

Channels to keep vigil to trace stolen antiquity.

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Annexure I ANNEXURE  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PART-  (b)  LOK  SABHA  UNSTARRED

## QUESTION NO. 2107 FOR 05.08.2024

| Year   | Country   |   No. of Antiquity |   Year-wise total |
|--------|-----------|--------------------|-------------------|
| 2014   | Australia |                 02 |                 2 |
| 2015   | Canada    |                 01 |                 3 |
| 2015   | Germany   |                 01 |                 3 |
| 2015   | Singapore |                 01 |                 3 |
| 2016   | USA       |                 11 |                14 |
| 2016   | Australia |                 03 |                14 |
| 2017   | USA       |                 08 |                09 |
| 2017   | UK        |                 01 |                09 |
| 2018   | USA       |                 02 |                02 |
| 2019   | UK        |                 01 |                02 |
| 2019   | Australia |                 01 |                02 |
| 2020   | Australia |                 03 |                08 |
| 2020   | UK        |                 05 |                08 |
| 2021   | UK        |                 01 |               159 |
| 2021   | Canada    |                 01 |               159 |
| 2021   | USA       |                157 |               159 |
| 2022   | Australia |                 29 |                30 |
| 2022   | UK        |                 01 |                30 |
| 2023   | Australia |                 02 |               115 |
| 2023   | UK        |                 07 |               115 |
| 2023   | USA       |                105 |               115 |
| 2023   | Italy     |                 01 |               115 |
| 2024   | Thailand  |                 01 |                01 |
| Total  | Total     |                345 |               345 |