In Budget 2020 announcement, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman mentioned that five archaeological sites will be developed as iconic sites with on-site museums.

The sites are in: Rakhigarhi (Haryana), Hastinapur (UP), Sivasagar (Assam), Dholavira (Gujarat) and Adishanaloor (Tamil Nadu).

She also mentioned that the government will take up recuration of Indian Museum building in Kolkata. “Museum on numismatics and trade to be set up in the site. Four more museums to be taken for recuration. Tribal museum to be set up in Ranchi, Jharkhan,” she mentioned.

There are 70 centrally protected monuments/sites under the jurisdiction of Guwahati Circle of Archeological Survey Of India. From the point of view of art and architecture, the Ahom monuments at Sivasagar are noteworthy to mention.

Sitharaman said Rs 3,150 crore has been allocated for the Ministry of Culture and Rs 2,500 crore for the Ministry of Tourism.

While presenting the Budget 2020-21, Finance Minister Sitharaman proposed the setting up of an Indian Institute of Heritage and Conservation under the Ministry of Culture.

Photo credit: /District-Administration-Sivasagar