Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendment) Bill

Why it is in news?

• Lok Sabha passed  a bill that seeks to relax restrictions on construction work in areas around protected monuments and enable the government to take up infrastructure projects.

About Bill

• According to govt:

1. The amendments were brought in the “national interest” and “no private individual or entity will be a beneficiary of this bill”.
2. The need was felt to amend the law to allow “construction works related to infrastructure financed and carried out by any department or office of the central government for public purposes which is necessary for the safety or security of the public at large”.
3. According to the statement of objects and reasons, the restrictions were adversely affecting such projects.

• A “prohibited area” means land in a 100m radius around a protected monument. Currently, construction is not allowed in prohibited areas except for repair and renovation.

Criticism Of the bill

• Opposition described the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendment) Bill as an “irresponsible bill”
• It also  asked the government to submit the legislation to a committee of historians, architects and archaeologists for their views.
• Opposition  also objected to a clause that gave the central government a final say in the matter whatever be the report of the National Monuments Authority.

What opposition demands?

• Dilution of restrictions would give a “wrong” message to the young generation about the importance of the monuments.
• There should not be “blanket permission” but it should be considered on a “case-by-case” basis.

(The indian express)