Lok Sabha Question No. 3776 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-16
Subject: Conservation of Historical and Cultural Heritage of Sitapur
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Shri Rakesh Rathor

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †3776 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.03.2026

## CONSERVATION OF HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL HERITAGE OF SITAPUR

## †3776. SHRI RAKESH RATHOR :

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware of the fact that several historical and cultural sites such as Khairabad  Imambara,  Bhulbhulaiya,  Astik  Baba  Temple,  Narottam  Das  Memorial  and Suryakund Tirtha in Sitapur district are in a dilapidated and neglected conditions;
- (b) if  so,  the  specific  steps  taken  by  the  Government  for  conservation,  restoration  and development of these sites;
- (c) whether any special budget allocation or  schemes are being implemented  by the Government at the local level for preservation of cultural heritage;
- (d) whether  local  communities,  voluntary  organizations  and  experts  are  being  involved  in conservation of these sites;
- (e) whether the Government proposes to include these sites in the list of Centrally Protected Monuments; and
- (f) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) There are 3686 nos. of centrally protected monuments under the jurisdiction of
- to Archaeological  Survey  of  India  (ASI)  in  the  country.  ASI  takes  up  conservation  and
- (c) preservation works  of  these  monuments/sites  as  per  the  need  and  availability  of  resources. However Khairabad Imambara, Bhulbhulaiya, Astik Baba Temple, Narottam Das Memorial and Suryakund Tirtha in Sitapur district are not notified as Centrally Protected Monuments by Archaeological Survey of India. The details of last three years allocation and expenditures on all centrally protected monuments/ sites are as under:-

## (Amount in Crores)

|   S. No. | Year                      |   Allocation |   Expenditure incurred |
|----------|---------------------------|--------------|------------------------|
|        1 | 2022-23                   |       392.71 |                 391.93 |
|        2 | 2023-24                   |       443.53 |                 443.53 |
|        3 | 2024-25                   |       313.43 |                 313.04 |
|        4 | 2025-26 (upto 05.03.2026) |       375.28 |                 333.92 |

- (d) ASI is taking all necessary steps to undertake the overall conservation and development work of  its  Centrally  Protected  Monuments.  On  various  occasions;  ASI  Circles  are  organising exhibitions/seminars/heritage-walks to increase awareness of the local communities towards the  conservation  of  Centrally  Protected  Monuments  and  to  protect  the  monuments  for  the posterity, in which many experts from the local area as well as from outside are also being invited to deliver lectures. ASI also prioritizes the local employment through engaging Local Artisans,  Masons  and  other  skilled/unskilled  labourers  such  as  Rajmishtri  from  traditional families.
- (e) Protection  of  ancient  monuments/archaeological  sites  and  remains  is  a  continuous  process.
- & Monuments  and  Sites  are  assessed  on  the  basis  of  their  archaeological,  historical,  and
- (f) architectural  significance,  and  those  found  worthy  are  declared  as  monuments/sites  of national importance as per the provision of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) Act, 1958. At present, there is no proposal to include these sites in the list of Centrally Protected Monuments.

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