India rejects Saudi offer to help renovate Jama Masjid

New Delhi, Feb 23 (UNI) India rejected an offer by Saudi Arabia to help renovate Delhi's historic Jama Masjid, Parliament was informed today.

The Saudi embassy had approached the Ministry of External Affairs offering ''to contribute through the Government of India'' for repair works, including erection of shades, maintenance of places of ablution and renovation of old electrical wiring in the mosque, Tourism and Culture Minister Ambika Soni informed the Lok Sabha during Question Hour.

The Government examined the offer in detail and decided that there was no need for such foreign contribution since the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) was already carrying out requisite conservation works at Jama Masjid, she said.

The Delhi High Court too had directed that the ASI would undertake necessary repairs in the mosque in consultation with the Delhi Wakf Board, she said in a written reply to a question by Mr Kishanbhai Vestabhai Patel (Cong) and Mr Sugrib Singh (BJD).

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