Question : PROTECTION OF TAJ

(a) whether the job of protecting the Taj has been entrusted to CISF;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government have received a number of complaints about misbehaviour by CISF men deployed at Taj Mahal;

(d) whether his Ministry has taken up the issue with concerned authorities;

(e) if so, the details thereof;

(f) whether the checking of tickets at Taj is assigned to ASI Staff; and

(g) if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER FOR TOURISM AND CULTURE (SHRI JAGMOHAN)

(a) to (g) Yes, Sir. Some unpleasant incidents had taken place because of CISF checking entry tickets at the Taj Mahal. Subsequently the Home Secretary has directed the CISF not to check the tickets and confine themselves to security aspects of the monuments; the checking of tickets rests with the Archaeological Survey of India staff.