Parliament Question: Financial Assistance for Privately Owned Heritage Properties

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1209 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.07.2026 FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR PRIVATELY OWNED HERITAGE PROPERTIES

1209. DR. MOHAMMAD JAWED:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

(a) the details of number of privately owned heritage properties across the country category and State/UT- wise;

(b) whether the Government provides financial assistance or any other form of support for the conservation, restoration or maintenance of privately owned heritage properties;

(c) if so, the details thereof during the last ten financial years, year and State/UT-wise; and

(d) if not, whether the Government proposes to introduce a scheme to provide financial assistance to owners for the conservation and upkeep of privately owned heritage properties and if so, the details thereof? ANSWER MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a) Though no details of privately owned properties are maintained by Archaeological Survey & of India (ASI), there are 3,688 protected monuments and protected areas declared

(b) protected under Ancient Monument and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958, under the care and maintenance of ASI. The conservation, preservation and day-to-day maintenance of all protected monuments and protected areas is taken up by ASI in accordance with the National Conservation Policy, 2014, subject to the requirements and availability of resources which is a continuous process.

(c) The details of expenditure incurred on conservation, preservation and maintenance of all protected monuments and protected areas during the last ten years is attached as Annexure I.

(d) There is no such proposal under consideration with the ASI for privately owned heritage properties.Annexure-I ANNEXURE REFFERED TO IN REPLY TO PART (c) OF THE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1209FOR 27.07.2026.

The details of expenditure incurred on conservation, preservation and maintenance of all protected monuments and protected areas during the last ten years (Amount Rs. in Crore) Sl.No. Financial Year Allocation Expenditure

1. 2016-17 313.21 301.60

2. 2017-18 410.81 410.77

3. 2018-19 406.38 405.83

4. 2019-20 435.61 435.40

5. 2020-21 260.90 260.83

6. 2021-22 270.00 269.57

7. 2022-23 392.71 391.93

8. 2023-24 443.53 443.53

9. 2024-25 313.45 313.03

10. 2025-26 376.88 376.67 -----