The Government on Monday said the Government was not doling out funds to the private or public companies under the ‘Adopt a Heritage: Apni Dharohar, Apni Pehchaan’, scheme launched last year.
“No fund is given by Ministry of Tourism. The project envisages involvement of private/public companies /organisations and individuals to adopt monuments, natural heritage sites and other tourist sites in the country, primarily under CSR,” said Minister of State (independent charge) for Culture, Dr Mahesh Sharma, in reply to a question in the Lok Sabha.
He said the scheme envisages development and maintenance of tourist amenities at heritage sites and making them tourist friendly, to enhance tourism potential and cultural importance in a planned and phased manner. A political controversy had erupted in April this year after the news broke that the Dalmia Bharat group signed an agreement with the Government to maintain Red Fort with Opposition accusing the Government of ‘handing over the monument to private party.”
However, the Government said the project primarily focuses on providing basic amenities that include cleanliness, public conveniences, safe drinking water, ease of access for tourists, signages, illumination, Wi-fi etc. The MoU signed specifies installation of one signage at the monument indicating that monument has been adopted by respective firm/organisation, the Minister said.
He maintained that providing basic facilities/amenities (e.g. drinking water, toilet blocks, facilities for physically challenged, pathways, cultural notice boards/signage, vehicle parking, cloak rooms, etc.) to tourists visiting centrally protected monuments and sites are the regular activities undertaken by the Archaeological Survey of India.
Further, Archaeological Survey of India has identified 100 monuments as “Adarsh Smarak” for upgradation of existing facilities/amenities like Wi-Fi, cafeteria, interpretation centre, brail signage, modern toilets etc. on the basis of actual requirement and feasibility on case to case basis.