About:
- The bill was introduced in Lok Sabha by Union ministry of Tourism in July 2017. It was passed by Lok Sabha on January 2, 2018.
- It amends the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958.
- Prohibited Area: Section 20A of the 1958 Act defines a ‘prohibited area’ (an area of 100 meters around a protected monument) where construction is prohibited. The bill amends this section to permit construction of public works in ‘prohibited areas’.
- Definition of ‘public works’: It provides for a new definition of "public works" in section 2 of the Act. it includes construction of any infrastructure that is
- financed & carried out by the central government for public purposes and
- necessary for public safety and security
- The construction will be undertaken in prohibited areas only when there is no other alternative.
- Role of National Monuments Authority: It will decide whether a construction project qualifies as ‘public works’ or not. It will make its recommendations, with written reasons, to the central government (which will take the final decision).
Arguments against the bill:
- Any construction, whether for a public project or private purpose, will pose risks to a monument.
- Allowing an exception for “public works” will give a major push to encroachments and illegal construction in the guise of public purpose.
