National Monuments Authority

Minister for Culture and Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation Kumari Selja has said that the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendment and Validation) Act, 2010, which came into force on 30 March, 2010, provides for the establishment of a National Monument Authority.  The Authority shall consist of:-

(a) A Chairperson, on whole-time basis, to be appointed by the President, having proven experience and expertise in the fields of archaeology, country and town planning, architecture, heritage, conservation-architecture or law;

(b) Such number of members not exceeding five whole-time members and five part-time members to be appointed, on the recommendations of the Selection Committee referred to in section 20G, by the Central Government, having proven experience and expertise in the fields of archaeology, country and town planning, architecture, heritage, conservation-architecture or law;

          (c)  the Director General as member, ex officio.

In a written reply in the Lok Sabha today she said, the National Monuments Authority shall discharge the following functions:-

(a) make recommendations to the Central Government for grading and classifying protected monuments and protected areas declared as of national importance   under section 3 and 4, before the commencement of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological sites and Remains (Amendment and Validation)Act, 2010;

(b) make recommendations to the Central Government for grading and classifying protected monuments and protected areas which may be declared after the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendment and Validation) Act, 2010, as of national importance under section 4;

           (c)  oversee the working of the competent authorities;

(d)   to suggest measures for implementation of the   provisions of this Act;

(e) to consider the impact of large-scale developmental projects including public projects and projects essential to the public which may be proposed in the regulated areas and make recommendations in respect thereof to the  competent authority;

(f)   to make recommendations to the competent authority for grant of permission.

          The Minister said, the establishment of the National Monuments Authority shall be notified as soon as the first whole-time or part-time Member is appointed from among various professionals identified.   This is a time consuming process in view of several sequential steps that need to be taken.   Since there is no provision in the Act to consider grant of any permissions except on the recommendation of the National Monument Authority, only preliminary scrutiny and preparatory work is being undertaken by the Competent Authorities, at this stage.