Budget and Expenditure of the ASI for FY 2024-25
Budget and Expenditure of the ASI for FY 2024-25
It has come to the notice of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) that certain reports published by an independent media outlet regarding the budget and expenditure of the ASI are misleading and do not reflect the factual position.
The ASI operates six (06) dedicated Excavation Branches located at Nagpur, Delhi, Patna, Bhubaneswar, Vadodara and Mysore, which are mandated to carry out archaeological exploration and excavation works annually. In recent years, ASI Circles have also been authorized to conduct excavations, further augmenting the scale and scope of such activities.
The budget allocation for exploration and excavation has witnessed a substantial increase under the Government of India. In 2024-25, an amount of ₹15.00 crore has been allocated under this head – an increase of about 2.3 times over the allocation of ₹6.53 crore in 2014-15. This enhancement underscores the Government’s commitment to the preservation, research, and scientific study of the nation’s archaeological wealth.
In the current year alone, ASI has been undertaking excavations at 22 sites across the country. Excavation is a meticulous and time-intensive process, with excavated materials, including artefacts and pottery, undergoing detailed scientific examination and analysis. ASI’s mandate is not merely to unearth sites but to produce comprehensive excavation reports, incorporating rigorous scientific findings to deepen the understanding of India’s cultural heritage.
The budget provision and expenditure under the head “Other Charges (Exploration & Excavation) – 16.01.49” clearly demonstrate that the funds allocated have been utilised in a planned and accountable manner, with expenditure closely aligned to sanctioned allocations.
Details of Budget provision and Expenditure in respect of other Charges
(Exploration & Excavation) Head-16.01.49
(Amount in Lakhs)
SL.No.
Sub-Head
Year
Budget
Allotment
Expenditure
% age of
Expenditure
1.
16.01.50:OC (EE)
2014-15
643.00
630.00
97.97
2.
16.01.50:OC (EE)
2015-16
713.00
686.97
96.34
3.
16.01.50:OC (EE)
2016-17
797.00
769.08
96.49
4.
16.01.50:OC (EE)
2017-18
948.00
939.39
99.09
5.
16.01.50:OC (EE)
2018-19
625.00
618.21
99%
6.
16.01.50:OC (EE)
2019-20
360.00
354.44
98%
7.
16.01.50:OC (EE)
2020-21
250.00
248.30
99%
8.
16.01.50:ORE(EE)
2021-22
609.00
607.96
100%
9.
16.01.50:ORE (EE)
2022-23
1000.00
999.85
99%
10
16.01.49:ORE (EE)
2023-24
1130.00
1128.00
99%
11
16.01.49:ORE (EE)
2024-25
1262.00
1251.24
99.14%
12.
16.01.49:ORE (EE)
2025-26
1500.00
745.60
49.71%
ASI reaffirms its commitment to transparency, scientific rigor, and the highest professional standards in all its activities. Any suggestion to the contrary is unfounded and is hereby categorically refuted.
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Sunil Kumar Tiwari