New Delhi, Dec 17 (IANS) All temples in India of national importance are in a good state of preservation with their conservation being an ongoing process, Culture Minister Chandresh Kumari Katoch said Tuesday.
“All the protected ancient temples declared as of national importance are in a good state of preservation and maintenance,” the minister told parliament in a written reply.
There are 985 ancient temples in the country dating from the 4th to the 19th century declared as of national importance within the jurisdiction of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the minister said.
The southern states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu together account for nearly one-third of these centrally protected temples with 203 and 113 temples in their territories, respectively.
ASI’s expenditure in 2012-13 on conservation of all centrally protected monuments in Karnataka was Rs.19.24 crore, while for Tamil Nadu the expenses amounted to Rs.5 crore.
The corresponding allocations for 2013-14 are Rs.18.40 crore for Karnataka and Rs.6 crore for Tamil Nadu.
During 2012-13, the ASI spent Rs.148.61 crore on conservation all-India, while the allocation for 2013-14 is Rs.184.04 crore, the minister said.