Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) undertakes conservation work of 3698 centrally protected monuments and sites across country. The monuments and sites are regularly inspected by officials of ASI and measures for preservation and conservation of monuments are taken up as per the need and availability of resources.
The amount of revenue spent for the purposes of preservation of monuments under the protection of the ASI in last five years are given as under: –
(Amount Rs. in Crores)
| S. No. | Year | Allocation | Expenditure |
| 1. | 2019-20 | 435.61 | 435.39 |
| 2. | 2020-21 | 260.90 | 260.83 |
| 3. | 2021-22 | 270.00 | 269.57 |
| 4. | 2022-23 | 392.71 | 391.93 |
| 5. | 2023-24 | 443.53 | 443.53 |
Decay or deteriorating of protected monuments depends on nature and technique of their construction, material used, structural stability, climate factors, biological, botanical factors, encroachments, pollution, quarrying natural disasters, etc. Section 30 of Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act 1958 provides for penalty for whosoever destroys, removes, inquiries, alters, defaces, imperils or misuses a protected monument.
This information was given by Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
Archaeological Survey of India (ASI): Protecting 3698 Monuments Across India
