Lok Sabha Question No. 87 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-22
Subject: Security of ASI protected Monuments
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Shri Yogender Chandolia

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.87

ANSWERED ON 22.07.2024

## SECURITY OF ASI PROTECTED MONUMENTS

## 87. SHRI YOGENDER CHANDOLIA:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether there is shortage of security personnel for the protection of ASI monuments;
- (b) the details and the number of incidents of vandalism in ASI protected monuments during the past five years;
- (c) the  details  of  the  Expenditure  incurred  by  the  Government  for  the  upkeep  and protection of ASI monuments;
- (d) the measures taken by the Government for security of ASI protected monuments; and
- (e) whether the Government  has  taken steps to construct public utilities in ASI Monument's premises, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) No Sir. Besides 3507 MTS staff who are also utilized for watch and ward duties, the security  is  further  straightened  by  deployment  of  additional  2763  private  security personnel. Further, the security of Red Fort at Delhi and Taj Mahal, Agra is managed by deployment of 592 CISF personnel.
- (b) Details of incidents of vandalism in ASI protected monuments during the past five years are given at Annexure.
- (c) Expenditure  incurred  on  conservation,  preservation  and  maintenance  of  protected monuments and sites including expenditure incurred  on security during the last three years is as under:
- (d) Multi Tasking Staff has been posted for watch and ward at protected monuments and sites. Further, at selected monuments private security personnel as well as CISF are provided, and periodic inspection is also carried out.
- (e) Government  has  provided  facilities  for  public  utilities  such  as  toilet,  drinking  water, braille  signages,  pathways,  ramps,  wheelchairs,  Wi-fi,  cafeteria,  benches,  etc.  at protected  monuments.  Providing  such  facilities  and  upgrading  them  is  a  regular phenomenon.                                                                                                                  --

| Year    |   Expenditure (Rupees in crore) |
|---------|---------------------------------|
| 2021-22 |                          413.09 |
| 2022-23 |                          508.01 |
| 2023-24 |                          585.85 |

## ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (b)  OF THE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 87 FOR 22.07.2024.

## DETAILS OF INCIDENTS OF VANDALISM AT PROTECTED MONUMENTS / PROTECTED AREAS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS.

|   Sl. No | State / U.T.   | Name of monuments                                                   | Incidents of Vandalism                                                                |   Year |
|----------|----------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------|
|        1 | Bihar          | Loose Sculptures and Images at Datiyana, District Patna, Bihar      | Theft of sculpture of Vishcnu.                                                        |   2022 |
|        2 | Delhi          | Zaffar Mahal, Mehrauli                                              | Damage to jail of the monument.                                                       |   2023 |
|        2 | Delhi          | Red Fort, Delhi                                                     | Damage to Ticketing system, Entrance gate and RR Barrack.                             |   2021 |
|        3 | Karnataka      | Vishnu temple, adjoining monument of Elephant Stable at Kamalapura  | A pillar has been pulled down.                                                        |   2019 |
|        3 | Karnataka      | Sadasiva Temple, Nuggehalli, Channarayapatna taluk, District Hassan | Theft of Copper Kalasa.                                                               |   2020 |
|        3 | Karnataka      | Rameshwara Temple at Nadakalasi, Sagara Taluk, Mandya               | Theft of Modern Stone statue of Ganesha.                                              |   2021 |
|        3 | Karnataka      | Lakshminarasimha Temple at Marehalli, Malavalli taluk               | Theft of Stone idol of Ganesha.                                                       |   2022 |
|        4 | Odisha         | Sisupalgarh Fort                                                    | Illegal development of road by removing the rampart wall of Sisupalgarh, Bhubaneswar. |   2021 |
|        4 | Odisha         | Sisupalgarh Fort                                                    | Cutting of ancient rampart wall on the western side of Sisupalgarh, Bhubaneswar.      |   2023 |
|        5 | Telangana      | Char Minar, Hyderabad                                               | One incident of Vandalism.                                                            |   2022 |
|        6 | Uttarakhand    | Mritunjaya Temple, Dwarahat, Dist. Almora                           | One Shivlinga was vandalized.                                                         |   2021 |
|        7 | Uttar Pradesh  | Daulatpur of Lalitpur District.                                     | A part of the statue was vandalized.                                                  |   2022 |
|        7 | Uttar Pradesh  | Kalinjar Fort                                                       | Part of a female statue/figurine in Kalinjar Fort was vandalized.                     |   2023 |

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