Restructuring of Archaeological Survey of India queried in Lok Sabha

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF CULTURE

LOK SABHA

ANSWERED ON  23.04.2013

(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor, State/UT and Circle-wise; 

(c) whether the Government proposes to address the issue of pay and perks to attract the best talents in the field of history and archaeology and if so, the details thereof; 

(d) whether any suggestions have been received from the Central Advisory Board of Archaeology regarding restructuring of ASI; and 

(e) if so, the details thereof along with the progress made so far for restructuring of ASI and the time by which the restructuring process is likely to be completed?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF CULTURE SHRIMATI CHANDRESH KUMARI KATOCH 

(a) & (b) The shortage of staff in ASI is most acutely felt in the sufficient numbers of monument attendants. To cope with the situation, ASI has been allowed to engage up to 1000 monument attendants from ex-servicemen. Besides, CISF (for Red Fort and Taj Mahal only), State Armed Police, Home Guards and private security guards have been engaged for watch and ward duty of monuments under the protection of ASI. 

(c) The pay and perks of archaeologists are fixed as per Government order, on recommendation of 6th Central Pay Commission. 

(d) As per the decision taken in the 34th CABA meeting held on 2nd December 2009, a Sub-Committee on ‘Restructuring of ASI’ was set up. In its meeting held on 22nd December 2009, it unanimously resolved to recommend that the restructuring proposal as prepared by ASI should be got approved by the Government at the earliest. 

(e) ASI has created 4 additional posts of Additional Director General and 18 additional posts of Joint Director General. ASI engaged M/s Manpower Management and Planning Consultants, New Delhi on 21.5.2010 on the work measurement study to restructure and strengthen the Archaeological Survey of India. Based on the report of Manpower Management and Planning Consultants a comprehensive proposal for overall strengthening of ASI is under process. 

Source: Lok Sabha qref=139895