With the Union Culture Ministry taking almost more than a decade in approving the construction agency for the proposed National Museum Institute in Noida, a Parliamentary panel has sought probe into the matter that has resulted in escalation of costs by Rs75.40 crore and payment of penalty of Rs52.80 lakh to Greater NOIDA Authority.
In a report tabled in Parliament last week, the panel noted that despite two extensions given by the Greater Noida Authority, the Archeological Survey of India (ASI), an autonomous body of the Ministry failed to construct the Institute of Archaeology on the land acquired by it in March 2000.
“This led to cancellation of allotment of the plot by the Authority in November, 2012 and imposition of penalty. The lackadaisical approach of ASI also led to avoidable payment of Rs2.61 crore and blocking of funds of Rs3 crore besides non-achievement of project objectives. “The Committee could understand that Ministry of Culture delayed, for more than a decade, the approval of construction agency for the National Museum Institute Building, resulting in escalation of costs by Rs75.40 crore and payment of penalty of Rs52.80 lakh to NOIDA authority, noted the panel headed by MP Mukul Roy.
The 1989-founded NMI currently functions at National Museum premises in Delhi.
“The Committee recommends that an inquiry panel may be constituted to look into the facts and circumstances which led to the delay in construction of the Institute of Archaeology. Based on the findings, action may be taken against those officials found guilty and a report in this regard may be submitted to the Committee,” it said.
The Committee strongly recommends that effective and periodic monitoring of the various organisations under the Ministry should be done in order to avoid such delays.
After long delay, Union Minister of State for Culture and Tourism Dr Mahesh Sharma had laid the foundation stone for the institute at a three-acre plot in Noida in January this year.
The committee also observed that e-ticketing enables the visitors to plan their visit to the monuments in advance and help them to avoid the hassle of waiting at the ticket counters. Therefore, the panel desires that the e-ticketing facilitymay be introduced in all ASI protected monuments, it added.