25 monuments to be declared as of national importance: Naik

The Centre has identified 25 monuments in the country for according national importance, the Lok Sabha was informed today.
The sites include Shahpur Quila in Jharkhand's Palamau district, Old High Court Building in Nagpur of Maharashtra, Sita Ram Ji Temple in Rajasthan and Brindaban Chandra Temple located in West Bengal.
In a reply, Minister of State for Culture Shripad Naik said, 25 proposals have been received from various parts of the country.
"As per sub-section 4(1) of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958, the Central Government may after detailed scrutiny, verification of revenue records, ownership issues, preparation of site plan, take a decision to issue notification in the Gazette of India inviting objections and suggestions from interested persons on its intention to declare the same as of national importance," he said.

To related question, the Minister said there were 3,680 monuments and sites under the provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958.
Out of these, 955 have been identified as places of worship in the country, he added.
Replying to another question on museums in Punjab, Naik stated that financial assistance has been provided to Government of Punjab for setting up of new memorials in connection with commemoration of 150 years of First War of Independence, 1857.