Govt to 'examine legal issues' affecting construction around ASI monuments, Lok Sabha told
New Delhi (PTI): The government has taken a decision to "examine the legal issues" affecting construction-related activities around centrally protected monuments and sites in order to "allow for infrastructure" while at the same time preserve the rich heritage of the country, the Lok Sabha was informed on Monday.
Union Minister for Culture G Kishan Reddy said this in a written response to a query in the House.
He responded to the query on whether the government proposes to amend the law that provides for preservation of monuments and archaeological sites more flexible and eco-friendlier in the Central Advisory Board of Archaeology which has recently been reconstituted after seven years.
"The Government has taken a decision to examine the legal issues affecting construction-related activities around centrally-protected monuments and sites in order to allow for infrastructure while at the same time preserving the rich heritage of the country," Reddy said.
Sharing details on the reconstituted Board, he said, "The notification constituting the Central Advisory Board of Archaeology was published in the Gazette of India vide Number 129 dated 19th May 2022 and No. 38 dated 02nd February 2023".
In response to another query on the number of monuments out of the total protected monuments that have "new construction work" including government or public work going on under prohibited and regulated areas, the minister said that the "details are being compiled".
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has 3,696 centrally protected monuments and sites in the country and takes up conservation and maintenance of the monuments as per the requirement and availability of resources, the minister said in response to another query.
"No work is pending due to shortage of fund under the jurisdiction of ASI," he said.
On another query on whether it is archaeologically established that Lord Krishna and Rukmini were associated with Northeastern states of Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh, the minister in his response said, "Traditionally it is believed that Lord Krishna and Rukmini were associated with North-Eastern States i.e. Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh. However no such archaeological investigations have been carried out."
Asked whether the government has started the annual yatra from Bhishmaknagar (Arunachal Pradesh) to Porbandar (Gujarat) to strengthen the cultural threads woven around the legacy of Rukmini, he said, "The Madhavpur Ghed Fair and Festival is celebrated in Porbandar, Gujarat, to commemorate the traditionally held belief that connects the North-East with Gujarat."
On repatriated artefacts, he said a total number of 231 antiquities were brought back by the government of India since 2014 from various countries.
"The ASI has a 'Gallery of Confiscated and Retrieved Antiquities' in Purana Qila (Old Fort), New Delhi which is dedicated to the repatriated antiquities brought back by the government," Reddy said.
The ASI continuously strives to upgrade museums under its jurisdiction by incorporation of digital technology, such as AR-VR, digital display and audio visual equipments etc. as per the availability of space and requirements of the museum, he added.
On a separate query on Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav (AKAM), the minister said, since March 2021, "more than 1.7 lakh AKAM events" were organised in India and abroad.
The main initiatives are 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign, in which more than 23 crore households physically hoisted national flag, and more than six crore individuals took part in digital platform to express their reverence towards it.
Asked whether the central government had placed an order for handloom national flag with Khadi Gram Udyog for 'Har Ghar Tiranga' programme, he said, "No".
"The 'Har Ghar Tiranga' was a one-time campaign which required mass production of flags at very low cost so that common people of the country could afford to buy the national flags. Ministry of Textiles facilitated adequate supply of the national flags for 'Har Ghar Tiranga Campaign'. Six companies volunteered for production/dispatch of national flags to all the states/Union territories. Ministry of Textiles coordinated the production and dispatch of national flags from these companies which volunteered, to the states/Union territories," he added.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
London, Nov 22: A bomb disposal squad deployed as a “precaution” to the South Terminal of Gatwick Airport concluded an investigation into a "security incident" on Friday after making a “suspect package” safe.
The South Terminal of Gatwick Airport, the UK's second busiest airport after Heathrow, which was briefly shut owing to the incident reopened following the incident.
The Gatwick is around 45 km south of London.
Two people detained during the enquiries have since been allowed to continue their journey as the airport was opened.
“Police have concluded their investigation into a report of a suspect package at Gatwick Airport. Officers from the EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team made the package safe, and the airport has been handed back to its operator,” Sussex Police said in an updated statement.
“Two people detained while enquiries were ongoing have subsequently been allowed to continue their journeys. There will remain an increased police presence in the area to assist with passengers accessing the South Terminal for onward travel,” the statement added.
Earlier on Friday, the incident caused severe disruption at the busy airport’s South Terminal, while the North Terminal of Gatwick Airport remained unaffected.
“Police were called to the South Terminal at Gatwick Airport at 8.20 am on Friday (November 22) following the discovery of a suspected prohibited item in luggage,” a Sussex Police statement said.
“To ensure the safety of the public, staff and other airport users, a security cordon has been put in place whilst the matter is dealt with. As a precaution, an EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team is being deployed to the airport. This is causing significant disruption and some roads around the South Terminal have been closed. We’d advise the public to avoid the area where possible,” it said.
Footage on social media taken outside the airport showed crowds of frustrated travellers being moved away from the terminal building.
Gatwick said it was working hard to resolve the issue.
“A large part of the South Terminal has been evacuated as a precaution while we continue to investigate a security incident," the airport said in a social media post.
“Passengers will not be able to enter the South Terminal while this is ongoing. The safety and security of our passengers and staff remain our top priority. We are working hard to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.”
Train and bus services that serve the airport were also impacted while the police carried out their inquiries.
In an unrelated incident in south London on Friday morning, the US Embassy area in Nine Elms by the River Thames was the scene of a controlled explosion by Scotland Yard dealing with what they believe may have been a “hoax device”.
“We can confirm the 'loud bang' reported in the area a short time ago was a controlled explosion carried out by officers,” the Metropolitan Police said in a post on X.
“Initial indications are that the item was a hoax device. An investigation will now follow. Some cordons will remain in place for the time being but the majority of the police response will now be stood down,” it added.
