The State government has formed a four-member Archaeological Expert Committee to assist archaeologist K.T. Narasimhan in the conservation and restoration of monuments of ancient and heritage temples with the grant of 13th Finance Commission.
According to a government order issued last month, the committee comprises R. Kannan, Principal Secretary, Tourism, Culture and Religious Endowments in his capacity as conservation archaeologist and museologist; S. Vasanthi, Commissioner in charge, Department of Archaeology; G. Maheswari, Superintending Archaeologist, Archaeological Survey of India, Chennai Circle; and K. Moortheeswari, Deputy Superintending Archaeologist, ASI, Chennai Circle.
Besides assisting Mr. Narasimhan as a team, the members can act independently either individually or as a team for those sites not covered by him.
Mr. Narasimhan was on June 29 designated by the government as Archaeological Consultant for the Departments of Archaeology and Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments for all conservation and restoration works.
A sum of Rs.90 crore has been allotted from 2011-12 to 2014-15 as grant under the 13th Finance Commission for conservation and restoration of dilapidated heritage temples.
These temples, according to the GO, are repositories of the Tamil culture.
