The premises of popular monuments like the Red Fort, Taj Mahal and Qutab Minar would soon house government-run emporiums to promote their state's handicrafts, parliament was informed on Monday.
In a written answer in the Lok Sabha, Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma on Monday said the "Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and Handicrafts and Handlooms Export Corporation of India, under the textiles ministry, have entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to open sales outlets in the premises of centrally-protected monuments".
Five monuments have been identified for the purpose. The other two are the Sarnath Museum in Varanasi and Humayun's Tomb in Delhi, he said.
At present, there are 3,685 monuments of national importance and the ASI is entrusted to look after them.
