Minister for Law, Parliamentary Affairs and Tourism HK Patil was addressing pressmen in Gadag on Sunday. | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
“The state government will declare eight more temple structures or wells as protected monuments by the end of February. This is in addition to the 16 structures already declared as protected monuments in Lakkundi village of Gadag district,” said Minister for Law, Justice, Human Rights, Parliamentary Affairs, Legislation and Tourism HK Patil.
Addressing a press conference after attending a high-level advisory committee meeting of the Lakkundi Heritage Area Development Authority in Gadag on Sunday, Mr. Patil said that the Commissioner of the Authority has also been tasked with submitting a comprehensive report to the state government on listing 20 temples and wells in Lakkundi as protected monuments.
“After that, a total of 44 sites in Lakkundi village will come under the direct administration of the state government. The government will then provide additional grants for their protection and development,” he said.
The Minister said that ₹10 crore has already been released for comprehensive development of five selected temples and one ancient well in the village.
The tender process has been completed and work orders will be issued in February, he said.
Mr. Patil said excavations will also be carried out at places where temple structures are likely to be buried underground. However, the process will require consent from residents.
“We will appeal to the residents and also compensate them to give up their ownership rights to such places,” he said.
He said that ₹1.65 crore has been released for setting up the open-air museum. Instructions have been issued to acquire land donated by residents for the museum, register it in the name of the government before Republic Day and then start tenders.
Remuneration
Mr. Patil said that Prajwal Ritti, who immediately handed over the treasure found during the excavation for the construction of the house to the local authorities, would be duly rewarded.
“The state government is willing to give him employment and provide him a house. Official orders will be given to the family on Republic Day. The incident will also be treated as a special case and the boy will be rewarded after finding out the age of the gold ornaments found during the excavation,” he said.
Deputy Commissioner CN Sridhar, Archeology Commissioner Devaraj, Authority Member Siddu Patil, AD Kattimani and others were present in the high-level meeting.
Published – 19 Jan 2026 20:41 IST
