Rajeev Chandrasekhar's official website - Member of Parliament

 

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

Ministry of Culture

 

RAJYA SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 759

TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.02.2009

Unauthorised Occupation of Lodhi Era Monuments .

 

759.

SHRI RAJEEV CHANDRASEKHAR

 

 

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:-

(a)        whether it is a fact that ‘Bara-Lao-Ka Gumbad’ a Lodhi era heritage monument has been under unauthorized possession for over 50 years;

(b)        the number of other monuments in Delhi still under adverse possession and the action proposed to be taken for their vacation and clearance;

(c)        whether national and heritage monuments in Delhi are proposed to be given facelift before the Commonwealth Games, 2010; and

(d)        if so, the estimated expenditure for the purpose and the likely share from various organisations therein?

 

ANSWER

MINISTER OF TOURISM AND CULTURE

(SHRIMATI AMBIKA SONI)

(a)        Bara Lao Ka Gumbad is not a centrally protected monument. The Department of Archaeology, Govt. of NCT, Delhi (GNCTD) has informed that the monument was in the charge of DDA earlier. In the year 1990, DDA and the Department of Archaeology, GNCTD jointly initiated action for removal of all the 12 unauthorized residential units within the enclosure wall of the monument. After removal of these unauthorized constructions, DDA handed over the monument to the Department of Archaeology, GNCTD on 5.2.2009.

(b)        There are encroachments in 11 centrally protected monuments in Delhi. In addition, the Department of Archaeology, Government of NCT, Delhi (GNCTD) has informed that there are 42 other monuments that have been encroached. Archaeological Survey of India and Department of Archaeology, GNCTD are regularly pursuing with Revenue, Police and Civic Authorities to remove the encroachments from these monuments.

(c)        Yes, Sir. 46 centrally protected monuments in Delhi have been identified for facelift before the Common Wealth Games – 2010.

(d)        An allocation of Rs.25.73 crores has been made for the purpose by the Central Government.

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