The Union government has released a sum of Rs 100 crore to the State for renovation of historic monuments maintained by the Archaeology Department.

Of the 24,000 monuments in the State, 700 come under the purview of the State Archaeology Department. The money will be used to renovate them over a period of four years, said Basavaraju, Secretary to Kannada and Culture, Information Department here on Wednesday. As many as 100 temples had been renovated in association with Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara Trust.

While the Trust and the Department have shared the expenses at 40 pc each, the temple managements and local people have contributed the balance 20 per cent, he said.  Infosys Foundation had come forward to take up renovation of the Someshwara temple at Lakshmeshwara in Gadag district at a cost of Rs three crore, he said.

The grants being given to drama companies which have completed 25 years would be increased soon. Monthly honorarium is being paid to about 1,600 artistes and around 1,000 applications seeking the allowance have been received. The Finance Department had given approval to provide honorarium to 400 more artistes this year, he said.

source: http://www.DeccanHerald.com / Home> State / DHNS, Hubli, July 04th, 2012