Despite issuing 780 demolition notices against encroachments/constructions at protected monuments sites across the country since 2010, the Union Culture Ministry has not been able to execute even a single one. Taking serious note of this callousness, a Parliamentary panel has not ruled out nexus between the vested interests, private parties and civic and police authorities and said that even court orders were also ignored at times.
The panel headed by Rajya Sabha MP Sitaram Yechury has submitted its report to Parliament recently.“The Committee is aware that encroachment, unauthorised occupation and illegal construction near our monuments is a problem about which we have not been able to do much so far. The Committee feels that possibility of a nexus between the vested interests, private parties and civic and police authorities cannot be ruled out in this context,” it said.
As per the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remain (Amendment and Validation) Act 2010, no new construction is allowed within prohibited area (100 mtrs zone) of monument/site and new construction is permitted in regulated areas (200 mtrs zone further beyond regulated area) only with the approval of Competent Authority on recommendation of the National Monuments Authority.
If notices against encroachment are not followed then demolition order is issued under Rule 38(2) of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remain Rules, 1959 with a request to the Collector remove the said illegal/unauthorised construction.
“Recourse is taken to courts of law as a last resort,” said the panel noting that however, not much is being done.
However, Archaeological Survey of India has been persistent in its efforts to tackle encroachment and has succeeded in removing encroachment from 24 monuments, said the panel.
It also expressed concern at the rampant defacing of the national monuments and said, strong action should be taken against not only the encroachers but also the agencies/officials of the concerned departments if these do not obey/cooperate.