New Delhi: The minarets of the Taj Mahal at Agra were showing "insignificant" slanting, the Lok Sabha was informed yesterday (Dec 2, 2004).

"The study of verticality of minarets of the Taj Mahal has been made from time to time by the Survey of India and various other agencies. The investigations have revealed very insignificant deviation from the perpendicular, which is not alarming," Culture Minister S Jaipal Reddy said in reply to a written question.

Since the deviation was very insignificant, no measures to correct the position had been taken yet, Reddy said.

However, every care was taken for routine maintenance and repairs of the minarets and the monument, he said.

Responding to another query, the Culture Minister denied that the Qutab Minar was tilting.

The Government was considering a proposal to launch a national mission for preservation of India's cultural heritage with Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts as the nodal agency, Reddy said. However, the Government did not propose to set up a national museum for intangible heritage, he said.

Reddy, who is also the Information and Broadcasting Minister, said Doordarshan had envisaged to commission programmes on classic works of eminent authors, art and culture, children's stories and environment in 22 recognised languages.

Prasar Bharti had informed that the production was scheduled for completion by March, 2006, he added.