Haryana govt releases Rs 2 crore to ASI for monuments

Chandigarh, Dec 12 (UNI) The Haryana government has so far released Rs 2.55 crore to the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) for restoration and renovation of ancient buildings and monuments in the state.

The Minister of state for Archaeology and Museums, Meena Mandal said here today an amount of Rs 53 lakh had been released to the ASI for the renovation of 'Jahaj Kothi' in Hisar, Rs 17 lakh for the Budha Stupas located in village Chaneti in district Yamunanagar and Rs 1.85 crore for the renovation of various monuments of Narnaul.

Mrs Mandal informed that many ancient seal coins, bronze coins, stones, statues, toys etc had also been excavated in the works undertaken by the Department. Musical instruments and weapons of historical significance had also been dug out during these excavation works which had been kept in the state level museum for their exhibition.

The Minister said the Department had recently established a regional museum at 'Jahaj Kothi' and financial aid had been released to the Union Government for the renovation and maintenance of this museum.

The Minister said the renovation work of Bheema Devi temple in Pinjore had already been initiated and a museum had been set up in the premises of the temple. The Department had so far released an amount of Rs 78 lakh for this purpose to the Haryana Tourism Corporation.

Mrs Mandal further informed that another museum had also been set up by the Battles of Panipat Memorial Society for putting up a display of all information and material related to the three famous Battles of Panipat.

She said the renovation and restoration works of other historical monuments had also been taken up by the department during the current financial year. Financial aid of Rs 10 lakh had been received from the centre for renovating Dehra Temple, built in 14th Century and the Jain Temple.

The cleaning and renovation works of Budha Stupas in village Chaneti, a monument of the Mughal era in Narnaul and European Cemetery in Ambala had also been started. Besides this, the ancient Shiva temple of Salwan, which belonged to the Mahabharta era, had been taken under state custody and its renovation work had also been started, she added.

UNI HS YA SND1522