'Money no constraint in upkeep of monuments'

NEW DELHI: The Archaeological Survey of India has sanctioned Rs 47.52 lakh for repairing multiple leakages in domes of historical Jama Masjid in the national capital, Tourism and Culture Minister Ambika Soni said on Tuesday.

"Jama Masjid is not a centrally protected monument.

However, as per directions of the Delhi High Court, detailed condition assessment of the monument, including the domes, has been carred out by the Delhi Wakf Board through a conservation architect," she said in the Rajya Sabha.

Based on the report, the ASI had sanctioned Rs 47.52 lakh, the Minister said replyig to supplementaries during Question Hour.

"Conservation works identified at the monument include water tightening and resetting of marble slabs of domes to arrest seepage," she said.

An amount of Rs 10 lakh had been allocated for fiscal 2007-08 and the work was in progress.

"Money will not be a constraint in repair and upkeep of such historical monuments," Soni said.

When Hema Malini (BJP) asked about conservation of the tomb of Razia Sultan, she said the Government was trying to persuade encroachers to vacate the area so that the monument can be protected.

To a separate question, the Minister said there was no proposal under consideration of the Tourism Ministry to roll out a Palace on Wheels from Orissa.