No French help sought for Jagtial fort in Andhra, says govt.

New Delhi, May 18 (UNI) The government today denied that help has been sought from France to renovate the Jagtial fort in Karimnagar district of Andhra Pradesh built during the Kakatiya dynasty.

The Union Ministry of Tourism and Culture said it has been informed by the Andhra Pradesh government that it had not sought help from France.

''The government of Andhra Pradesh has informed that no help is sought from France to renovate the forts at Jagtyal, Nirmal Khammam,'' Tourism and Culture Minister Ambika Soni told the Lok Sabha during question hour.

-X- CENTRAL GRANT TO CULTURAL ORGANISATIONS: The north-eastern state of Nagaland received the highest Rs 36.5 million grant given by the Centre to voluntary cultural organisations during 2005-6.

The state had received Rs 17.8 million during 2004-5 and Rs 8.7 million during 2003-4, Ms Soni said.

Karnataka was the second highest beneficiary with Rs 11.5 million during 2005-6 as against grants worth Rs 6.17 million during 2004-5 and Rs 4.5 million during 2003-4.

Manipur was third with Rs 11 million during 2005-6 compared to Rs 7 million during 2004-5 and Rs 3 million during 2003-4.

Voluntary cultural organisations in Andhra Pradesh received Rs 2.9 million during 2005-6 as against Rs one million during 2004-5 and Rs 2.8 million during 2003-4, she said.

Kerala was given central grants of Rs 2.8 million during 2005-6.

Rs 3.1 million in 2004-5 and Rs 719,000 in 2003-4.

The figure for Assam was Rs 6 million during 2005-6, Rs 3.1 million in 2004-5 and Rs 1.8 million in 2003-4.

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