The Centre’s move to sign a contract with corporate group Dalmia Bharat to adopt the iconic Red Fort stirred a major controversy on Saturday with the Opposition accusing the Government of “privatising” India’s heritage prompting the ruling regime to categorically deny the Opposition
parties’ claims.
Union Tourism and Culture Ministers Mahesh Sharma and KJ Alphons termed it as fake news and pointed out that the President had in 2017 on World Tourism Day announced that those interested in value addition to any services of monuments can come forward. “No profit activity will take place,” Sharma said.
The Union Culture Minister said the project envisages limited “access” to non-core areas and “no handing over of monuments are involved”.
A statement from the Ministry said that they (monuments) would become “Monument Mitras” through the innovative concept of “Vision Bidding”, where the agency with best vision for the heritage site will be given an opportunity to have pride of adopting a heritage as CSR initiatives as well as the opportunity for their brand promotion on the premises.
The aim is enhancement of tourist experience and promotion of the incredible heritage sites to bring them on tourism map, it said.
Though it has been two days since the MoU was signed, the controversy erupted only after the Dalmia Group tweeted: “Dalmia Bharat limited, Ministry of Tourism and Archaeological Survey of India sign MoU to take up the Red Fort, Delhi and Gandikota Fort, Kadapa. @KJAlphons @tourismgoi @DalmiaBharat Becomes the first corporate to sign a MOU under the Government’s ‘Adopt a Heritage’ project.”
By signing the contract, the Dalmia Bharat limited became a part of ‘’Monument Mitras’, a group of various private sector companies assigned to look after the operations and the maintenance of this heritage site for the next five years. In lieu, the group can promote its brand at various locations “subject to approval of the Oversight and Vision Committee,” says the MoU.
As per the MoU, Dalmia Bharat will have to construct, landscape, illuminate and maintain activities related to provision and development of tourist amenities. This includes various basic and advanced amenities such as public conveniences, clean drinking water, cleanliness of the monument, accessibility for all, signage, cloakroom facilities, illumination and night viewing, surveillance system, tourist facilitation-cum-interpretation centre among others.
Besides, it will also introduce other key amenities for the visitors like App-based Multilingual Audio-Guide, Digital Interactive Kiosk, Digital (lED) screening, disabled friendly, battery operated vehicles, braille signages, free W-Fi and cafetaria along with souvenir shop which will help in promoting local art and craftsmanship.
It will also assist in controlling the advanced tourist flow management system linked with carrying capacity of the monuments including light and Sound Shows with regular cultural shows and facilitation of night visits to the monuments.
Strongly reacting to the deal, the Congress accused the Government of “privatising” India’s heritage by offering it for adoption to the corporate group for next five years at a cost of Rs 25 crore.
“After handing over the Red Fort to the Dalmia group, which is the next distinguished location that the BJP Government will lease out to a private entityIJ” the Congress said in a tweet.
“They are handing over the iconic monument to a private business. What is your commitment to the idea of India, to the history of IndiaIJ We know you have no commitment, but we still want to ask you,” Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera told reporters here.
“Do you have dearth of fundsIJ Why funds for the ASI lapse, why do they lapseIJ See the CAG (Comptroller and Auditor General) reports. If they have paucity of funds, then why do they lapseIJ” he asked.
Calling the decision a “sad and dark day in (India’s) history”, TMC chief Mamata Banerjee asked why the Government itself cannot take care of the monument.
“Why can’t the Government even take care of our historic lal QilaIJ Red Fort is a symbol of our nation. It is where India’s flag is hoisted on the Independence Day. Why should it be leased outIJ Sad and dark day in our history,” Banerjee tweeted.
Responding to the remarks, Alphons said under the scheme started last year, the Ministry is looking at public participation to develop heritage monuments.
“The companies involved in these projects will only spend and not make money. They will create amenities such as toilets, provide drinking water for the tourists so that their footfalls increase. They might put up signs outside to say that they have developed the amenities.
If they are spending money, there is nothing wrong in taking credit for it,” he said.
“I want to ask the Congress what they did for the past 70 years. All the monuments and facilities around them are in terrible shape. In some places, there were no facilities at all,” he said.
“We have to start work within 30 days and have to own it for five years initially. Then the contract can be extended on mutually agreeable terms. It will help us integrate the Dalmia brand with India. This project will have customer centricity as the visitors will be our customers. We want more people from Delhi and NCR to come here regularly rather than just one-time tourists.
“Just look at some of the castles in Europe which are a fraction of the Red Fort’s size but are so meticulously maintained. We will develop the monument on similar lines and it will be among the world’s best,” Mahendra Singhi, Group CEO of Dalmia Bharat Cement, said.
The company has plans to complete night illumination before handing it over temporarily to the Government for the Prime Minister’s Independence Day address.