Activities Near Protected Monuments

The Minister of Culture Smt. Chandresh Kumari Katoch has said that the proposals for grant of permissions for shooting of films and holding of cultural events/functions within the limits of centrally protected monuments and their misuse come under the purview of the Archaeological Survey of India under the provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 and Rules, 1959.

In a written reply in the Lok Sabha today Smt. Katoch said, The penalty under section (30) of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 has been enhanced as per the Amendment Act, 2010 from three months imprisonment to two years and fine from five thousand rupees to one lakh, or both, to act as a deterrent to contain the acts of defacement of the monuments declared as of national importance.

Smt. Katoch said, the inadequate watch and ward staff strength is one of the main reasons as to why it has not been possible to fully contain the acts of the defacement of monuments. However, the ASI has strengthened the watch and ward by deployment of additional private security guards at the vulnerable monuments as per the resources available.

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