Mail News Service
New Delhi, Aug 21: Manipur is getting least funds for protection of ancient monuments in the entire region. It was the only state which did not get any central assistance in 2010-11. The Minister for Culture and Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation Kumari Selja has said that there is no provision under the Ancient
Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 and Rules, 1959 to declare or recognize cultural heritage centres and
heritage sites. However, Archaeological Survey of India looks after 82 monuments/sites that are declared as of national importance under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 in the North Eastern States, out of which 55 monuments/sites
are in Assam.
In a written reply in the Lok Sabha today Kumari Selja said, the conservation, preservation and maintenance of monuments is an ongoing process. Every year review of the status of monuments/sites of the ASI declared as of national importance is taken up.
A number of monuments are identified for taking up structural repairs of special nature.
The conservation programme is drawn up accordingly and funds are provided for the same. For sustained preservation of the remaining sites/monuments, routine maintenance comprising removal of vegetation, maintenance, minor repair works such as patch plastering, pointing, water-tightening, masonry, etc. is also taken up. Arunachal has three monuments, Assam 55, Manipur one (Vishnu temple, Lamangdong). Meghalaya 8, Nagaland 4, Tripura 8 and Sikkim four.
Kumari Selja gave details of expenditure incurred on conservation, preservation and maintenance of centrally protected monuments/sites in north-eastern states (State-wise) during the last three years .
Assam got Rs 117.60 lakhs, Rs 141.77 and Rs 200.52 during the last three years. Manipur got Rs 0.60 lakhs in 2000 and Rs .50 lakhs in 2012.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/manipur-has-only-one-ancient-monument-selja/
