24 August, 2006

My dear Smt. Soni,

May I draw your attention to the write-up in the Times of India (24 August, 2006) which lists 15 Ancient Monuments in Delhi which are not under the protection, of either ASI or the Department of Archaeology of the Government of Delhi and are awaiting ‘the urban chopping block’ which has already effaced a dozen of known monuments, according to your recent statement in the Lok Sabha.

May I request you to instruct the ASI to have a complete survey of existing monuments identified by the Zafar Hasan list prepared in the British period and then formalize a division of work relating to protection and conservation with the Delhi Government?

May I also request you to instruct the ASI to estimate the non-recurring and recurring cost of protection of the unattended monuments which are under its protection and to sanction necessary funds?

With kind regards,

Yours sincerely,

 (SYED SHAHABUDDIN)

Smt. Ambika Soni,

Minister of Culture,

Government of India,

301, Transport Bhawan,

1, Parliament Street,

New Delhi – 110 001.