The Union government on Thursday informed the Rajya Sabha that the famed Nizam’s jewels currently stay protected through a high-security custody system which the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) maintains and officials have not made any decision about moving the collection to Hyderabad for its permanent public exhibition.

Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat answered a written inquiry in Parliament by stating that the Ministry of Culture acknowledges the historical, cultural and heritage significance of the Nizam’s jewellery together with the public interest associated with the artefacts.

The minister confirmed that 173 pieces of the Nizam’s jewels have been securely stored in RBI vaults since 1995 under a custodial agreement which guarantees their security and insurance and conservation.

Members of the House wanted to know whether the government had knowledge about the public view which existed for a long time that the jewels should be shown in the city where they originate because they have deep ties to Hyderabad heritage and the former Nizam rule.

Shekhawat said the ministry safeguards the collection because it holds deep cultural and emotional value for the people but the jewels can only leave their current high-security custody arrangement because the existing memorandum of understanding with the RBI requires their permanent storage.

The minister added that no decision exists regarding the permanent public exhibition of the jewellery collection at Hyderabad.

The Nizams ruled the former Hyderabad State which became part of the Indian Union after Independence.