New Delhi, May 8 (IANS) The National Archives of India (NAI) has digitised 15 lakh pages of documents and manuscripts at a cost of Rs 18 lakh during the finacial year 2011-12, the Lok Sabha was informed Tuesday.

The allocated fund for digitisation project for this period was Rs 20 lakh.

In reply to a question in the lower house, Culture Minister Selja said the NAI has modernised 'its conservation research laboratory with latest equipment to carry out preventive and curative conservation of records'.

'Training in the field of conservation of archival heritage for both professional and sub-professional level are conducted by the school of archival studies, and staff of the archives have been deputed to national and international organisations to update their knowledge under various exchange programmes and agreements,' Selja said.

She said, 'Only post-Independence records of permanent nature recently received from various ministers and departments need immediate attention for their preservation.'

The National Archives has employed 45 professionals for preservation of such records, Selja said.