Budget 2024: Archaeological survey gets capital budget allocation of ₹140.38 crore

The Budget has given a boost to the Archaeological Survey of India, with ₹140.38 crore under the ‘capital’ budget, compared with ₹30.27 crore in the revised estimates for 2023-24 and ₹15.67 crore (actual) in 2022-23.

The revenue expenditure allocation to ASI remains unchanged at around ₹1,000 crore.

While the reason for the ₹110-crore increase in allocation to ASI is not explicitly mentioned, the footnotes offer a clue, where it talks about exploring “the multifaceted Indian Ocean ‘world’ – collecting archaeological and historical research.”

The ASI is a holdover from the British era — it was established in 1861 to preserve monuments and sites. It is attached to the Ministry of Culture.

Today, the ASI protects 3,693 monuments, including 22 World Heritage monuments, 10 Iconic monuments and 100 Aadarsh ​​monuments. These monuments include prehistoric Stone Age sites, temples, mosques, churches and forts. The ASI also manages the National Mission for Monuments and Antiquities.