(a) whether the attention of the Government has been drawn towards the news-item captioned `The Tomb Raider` appearing in the Indian Express dated January 26th, 2003;
(b) if so, the facts of the matter reported therein;
(c) the steps taken by the Central Government to get this encroachment evicted immediately;
(d) whether the Government has directed the State Governments to submit comprehensive report on encroachments near monuments; and
(e) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER FOR TOURISM AND CULTURE (SHRI JAGMOHAN)
(a) to (c ) Yes, Sir. Bara Lao Ka Gumbad, a Lodhi period tomb located behind Vasant Lok market in the DDA park in Vasant Vihar is not under Central protection. However, the Government of NCT Delhi has decided to maintain this monument and has asked the DDA to remove the encroachment and to handover the monument to the Department of Archaeology, Government of NCT Delhi. The land on which the monument stands belongs to the DDA.
(d)&(e) During the State Tourism Ministers Conference held on 5.9.2002 the State Governments were requested to ensure that encroachments should not come up in the vicinity of heritage sites as it creates adverse image in the mind of visitors. In the New Tourism Policy thrust has been given to the civilisational issues as well as issues pertaining to civic and good governance. In major tourism projects the State Governments are being requested for relocation of the encroachments.