Par panel favours new authority to protect monuments

Observing that Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is not in a position to protect the monuments, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture has recommended creation of an authority for protecting monuments in the country.
In its report, the committee said heritage sites are neglected and left unattended in Delhi and in other parts of the country. Numerous cases of encroachment and unauthorised construction in and around these sites have been noticed, it added.
"The committee strongly recommends that an authority should be created under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendment and Validation) Act, 2010. On receiving complaint from the public or any other organisation, the proposed authority should be empowered to take strong action immediately," the report said.

The committee, chaired by CPI(M) MP Sitaram Yechury, expressed concern over encroachments in the premises of Lal Mahal by land grabbers.
"It appears to the committee that in case of Lal Mahal, land grabbers and various authorities were conniving with each other. They could successfully destroy the precious monument and illegal constructions took place while government authorities remained silent spectators," the committee stated.
The report claimed ASI people are being denied entry into the illegally encroached premise of Lal Mahal.
On the other hand, the committee has argued for creation of a cultural cadre distinct from the regular administrative cadre to man the functioning of akademis, museums and other cultural institutions.