Annual allocation for archaeological excavations increased to ₹10 crore in T.N.

Minister for School Education, Tamil Development, Information and Publicity Rajmohan on Wednesday announced that the annual allocation to conduct archaeological field surveys, excavations, and underwater explorations will be increased from ₹7 crore to ₹10 crore.

Speaking in the Assembly, Mr. Rajmohan said a modern archaeological laboratory will be established at a cost of ₹2 crore to conduct scientific analyses of artefacts and samples unearthed during archaeological excavations.

Under the Tamil Heritage Conservation Mission, 76 protected monuments and archaeological sites will be renovated in the first phase over the next five years. A digital database will be created using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to help people understand ancient Tamil inscriptions easily, he said.

Field research will be undertaken over three years at a cost of ₹3 crore to document ancient Tamil maritime trade links and ancient ports. The recurring annual allocation for conservation and maintenance works at protected monuments and archaeological sites will be increased from ₹3 crore to ₹4 crore, he said.

The annual allocation for infrastructure and modernisation works at excavation museums under the Archaeology Department will be increased from ₹30 lakh to ₹1 crore. Fifteen historically significant sites will be identified and notified as protected archaeological sites, the Minister said.

An order has been issued by the government making it mandatory to allocate at least 30 to 45 minutes for performances by folk artists at all government and private events attended by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay before the commencement of the function. Through this initiative, hundreds of folk artists will benefit, he said.

To preserve and promote traditional folk arts such as Karagattam, Kummi, Oyilattam and Kolattam, two art research centres, one each in Coimbatore and Thanjavur, will be established at a cost of ₹2 crore. Monthly financial assistance currently provided to economically disadvantaged artists will be extended to 1,500 additional artists.

The annual financial assistance provided to folk artists for purchasing musical instruments and costumes will be increased from ₹10,000 to ₹20,000. The scheme will also be extended to 500 additional young artists, he said.

A Detailed Project Report will be prepared at a cost of ₹2 crore for establishing a Tamil Heritage Museum in Madurai. To mark the completion of 175 years since the establishment of the Government Museum in Chennai, a commemorative postage stamp will be released, he said. To encourage school and college students and the general public to visit museums, 2026–27 will be declared the ‘Visit Museum Year,’ he added.