The preservation of as many as “12,793 heritage items” belonging to Chandigarh remains an uphill task for the UT Administration.
In a major setback, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has turned down the Administration’s request for providing assistance in establishing the genuineness of heritage items, besides preservation works.The UT Administration had sought the ASI’s assistance in establishing the genuineness of heritage items, identified during the finalisation of heritage inventory made in 2011 and 2012 here.
In a communiqué sent to the UT Administration, ASI has stated that they cannot assist UT in preservation works of these heritage items. Quoting “The Antiquities And Art Treasures Act, 1972”, the ASI has said ‘Antiquities’ which have been in existence for not less than 100 years viz. sculptures in stone, terracotta, metals, ivory Painting in paper, wood, cloth, skin etc and manuscripts are covered under the Act while the heritage items in the city are less than 60 years old. Hence, the ASI will not be able to assist the Administration in conservation works of heritage belonging to Chandigarh, stated the letter.
As only three-member Chandigarh Heritage Inventory Committee, constituted by UT Administration were involved in the finalization of heritage inventory in 2011 and 2012, doubts looms over the authenticity of identified heritage items.
While talking to The Pioneer, UT chief architect Kapil Setia said, “Archaeological Survey of India has informed us that they would not be able to assist in establishing genuineness of heritage items or in its preservation works.”
“The Antiquities and Art Treasures Act, 1972 terms the objects more than 100 years as antiquity thus requiring registrations with the ASI. But the city’s heritage items are less than 60 years old, thus the ASI can not assist us in the issue,” said he.
The UT chief architect added, “The Administration had already issued directions to various UT departments to preserve the heritage furniture with them. Now, we are waiting for MHA’s approval on the action taken report, to execute recommendations proposed for protection of heritage items here.”
Though an action taken report (recommendation) on preservation of Chandigarh’s heritage items was submitted to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in the year 2012, an approval by the Ministry is still awaited.
Notably, the entities including furniture, tapestry, drawings and other things, which were designed, made and used by city’s creator French architect le Corbusier, his cousin Pierre Jeanneret and others associated with the founding and planning of Chandigarh in the 1950s and 60s, comes under the category of heritage items.Chandigarh has 12793 heritage items designed by Corbusier or his team associated with the founding and planning of the city in 1950s and 60s. As per the report, there are 190 different categories of the heritage items including drawings, murals, models, tapestries, chairs, tables, among others.
In Chandigarh, the UT Government Museum and Art Gallery has possession of large number of heritage items including furniture, drawings, murals, models among others made by Corbusier and his other associates. Besides, Punjab and Haryana Civil Secretariat, Punjab and Haryana Vidhan Sabha, Punjab and Haryana High Court also have huge stock of heritage furniture including chairs and tables.
In the past, renowned foreign auction houses have shoveled in millions through the auction of city’s heritage items including furniture, tapestry, drawings among others.The MHA had in year 2010 asked UT Administration to submit the details of auction of Chandigarh’s heritage items by the auction houses based abroad and details of action taken by UT to ensure preservation of heritage items in the city.