In the Union Budget 2024-25, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has been allocated Rs 1,273.91 crore, marking an increase from the Rs 1,131.08 crore allocated in the previous budget1. The ASI, established over 160 years ago, is responsible for the protection, preservation, and conservation of 3,697 centrally protected monuments and archaeological sites.
The Ministry of Culture and the ASI are currently hosting the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee at Bharat Mandapam in Delhi from July 21-311. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman emphasized the government’s commitment to both ‘vikas’ (development) and ‘virasat’ (heritage) in her Budget speech.
The overall budget for the culture sector is Rs 3,260.93 crore for 2024-25, slightly lower than the Rs 3,399.65 crore allocated in the previous budget1. The revised estimate for 2023-24 stood at Rs 3,460 crore. Additionally, Rs 188.21 crore has been allocated for libraries and archives, and Rs 123.72 crore for museums.
The government also announced support for the comprehensive development of the Vishnupad Temple corridor at Gaya and the Mahabodhi Temple at Bodh Gaya in Bihar, aiming to transform them into world-class pilgrim and tourist destinations. These projects will be modeled on the successful Kashi Vishwanath Temple Corridor.
The tourism sector has been allocated Rs 2,479.62 crore for 2024-25, compared to Rs 1,692.10 crore in the revised estimate for the previous budget.
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