The Central Government has sanctioned compensation amount of Rs 1.77 crore for 24 farmers having their land at the ancient archaeological site of Sirpur in Mahasamund district of Chhattisgarh.
This amount has been released from Archaeological Survey of India, affiliated to Union Culture Ministry to District Collector of Mahasamund, officials stated.
The Collector has received official letter in the context from Archaeological Survey of India office, New Delhi on Tuesday.
It is noteworthy that during his visit to Sirpur, Chief Minister Raman Singh had assured the farmers that they would get compensation from Central Government.
Singh had made the demand to Union Minister of State for Culture and Tourism (Independent Charge) Dr Mahesh Sharma.
As per directives of Chief Minister Raman Singh, a proposal was sent on behalf of State Government to Archaeological Survey of India.
Mahasamund District Collector Umesh Agrawal informed that with sanction of compensation amount to farmers, the procedure of land acquisition has also been started.
It is also notable that the State Budget 2016-17 has made necessary fiscal provisions in upcoming fiscal year 2016-17 for development of Sirpur.
In his budget announcement, Chief Minister Raman Singh had stated that Sirpur Mahotsav, which is being organized by State Government for last two years, has been given national level recognition to this archaeological site. Keeping this in view, Sirpur is also being developed as International Buddhism tourist spot.
Notably, Chhattisgarh’s ancient archaeological site of Sirpur has now been included in the three Buddhist Circuits identified by the Union Ministry of Tourism in the country.
The circuits would be developed by the Central Government in partnership with the respective State Governments and private stake holders.
The ancient archaeological site of Sirpur in Chhattisgarh had been included in Circuit 3 titled ‘ Buddhist Heritage Trails (State Circuits)’ , officials stated.
Notably in December last year, Dr Sharma had informed Chief Minister Raman Singh that Sirpur would be part of ‘Buddha Circuit’ under the ambitious project of Union Ministry of Tourism.
The Union Minister had provided the assurance to Singh during a courtesy meeting with him in New Delhi.
The Chief Minster during meeting had informed the Union Minister that Sirpur has all those features as a destination that is capable enough to attract tourists from across the globe.
Outlining the tourism potential in Chhattisgarh, Singh had told the Union Minister that from Surguja till Bastar lie archeological remains depicting State’s rich cultural diversity.
“We would like to request Union Tourism Ministry for helping the State in preserving the palaces and making them easily accessible to tourists,” he had stated.
