Central government removes 14th century Hampi from 'Heritage City' list

Ballari: Has the central government removed the “Heritage City” tag for Hampi, as announced by Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in this year’s budget?

State Labour and Ballari district in-charge minister P.T. Parameshwar Naik said on Saturday, “Hampi was first included in the list of heritage cities announced by the NDA government, but it has since been removed.”

Slamming the local BJP MP, he said, “The Centre has taken the site off the list because of the negligence of Ballari MP Sriramulu. He has failed to pressurise the government, which is run by his own party.”

But Mr Prakash C. Nayakanda, deputy superintending archaeologist, Archaeological Survey of India, Hampi, said that his office had not received any communication from Delhi on removing Hampi from the list.

ASI sources said that the tag would have ensured improved landscape, greater aesthetics, wider roads, cleaner toilets, wi-fi and CCTV cameras, besides restoration efforts, at the world famous ruins.