 bill no 286 of 2015 the special financial  assistance for ancient monuments and archaeological sites and remains in the state of rajasthan bill, 2015 byshri cp joshi, mp a billto provide for special financial assistance to the state of rajasthan to meet the costs ofrepairs, renovations and preservation of ancient and historical monuments andarchaeological sites and remains including excavation of new archaeologicalsites and remains situated in the state of rajasthanbe it enacted by parliament in the sixty-sixth year of the republic of india as follows:—and archaeological sites and remains in the state of rajasthan act, 2015short title and commencementdefinition2 in this act, unless the context otherwise requires "ancient monument" means any structure, erection or monument, or any tumulus or place of interment, or any cave, rocksculpture, inscription or monolith which is of historical, archaeological or artistic interest and which has been in existence for not less than one hundred years and includes—(i) remains of an ancient monument, (ii) site of an ancient monument,5(iii) such portion of land adjoining the site of an ancient monument as may be required for fencing or covering in or otherwise preserving such monument; and(iv) the means of access to, and convenient inspection of, an ancient monument10special financial assistance to the state of rajasthan3 there shall be paid such sums of moneys out of the consolidated fund of india, every year, as parliament may be due appropriation provide, as special financial assistance to the state of rajasthan to meet the costs of repairs, renovations and preservation of ancient and historical monuments and archaeological sites and remains including excavation of new archaeological sites and remains situated in the state of rajasthan, as may be undertaken by the state with the approval of the central government154 the provisions of this act shall be in addition to and not in derogation of any other law for the time being in forceact not in derogation of any other law statement of objects and reasonsthe state of rajasthan is one of the favourite destinations of tourists, both domestic and foreign rajasthan is famous for its rich culture and tradition, fairs and festivals worldwide the different tourist destinations attract the tourists because of various reasons including its ancient and historical monuments and archaeological sites and remainsat present, the archaeological survey of india is looking after the maintenance and conservation of 161 monuments/sites these monuments and archaeological remains of diverse nature are located in the region since prehistoric times and are scattered from dholpur in the east to jaisalmer in the west and ganganagar in the north and banswara in the south of rajasthantaking care of the monuments is an important duty that devolves on the respective state government as well as the central government it needs funds to engage people who can look after monuments, ensure that the miscreants do not harm them, as also to get the damaged portion repaired from expert designers and engineers the central government must provide adequate funds for each monumentthe proper upkeep and maintenance of ancient and historical monuments and archaeological sites and remains in rajasthan shall boost heritage tourism which will in turn increase employment, revenue generation and local business in rajasthanit is, therefore, necessary that the central government should provide special financial assistance to the state of rajasthan to meet the costs of repairs, renovations and preservation of ancient and historical monuments and archaeological sites and remains including excavation of new archaeological sites and remains situated in the state of rajasthanhence this bill financial memorandumclause 2 of the bill provides that there shall be paid such sums of money out of the consolidated fund of india, every year, as parliament may by due appropriation provide, as special financial assistance to the state of rajasthan to meet the costs of repairs, renovations and preservation of ancient and historical monuments and archaeological sites and remains including excavation of new archaeological sites and remain situated in the state of rajasthan, as may be undertaken by the state with the approval of the government of indiathe bill, therefore, on enactment, will involve expenditure out of the consolidated fund of india as the sums of moneys which will be given to the state of rajasthan as special financial assistance by appropriation by law made by parliament will be known only after the plans to be implemented by the state government with the approval of government of india are identified, it is not possible at present to give the estimates of recurring expenditure, which would be involved out of the consolidated fund of india at this stageno non-recurring expenditure is likely to be incurred from the consolidated fund of india—————— a billto provide for special financial assistance to the state of rajasthan to meet the costs ofrepairs, renovations and preservation of ancient and historical monuments andarchaeological sites and remains including excavation of new archaeologicalsites and remains situated in the state of rajasthan————(shri cp joshi, mp)gmgipmrnd—3030ls(s3)—03-12-2015