The Hindu : New Delhi News : Now Bhagidari extends to conservation of monuments

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jan 05, 2005

New Delhi

New Delhi

Now Bhagidari extends to conservation of monuments

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, JAN. 4. Taking yet another step forward towards extending the purview of the Bhagidari scheme, the Delhi Government today decided to bring the protection, maintenance and conservation of historical monuments and buildings of architectural importance in the Capital under the scheme in association with Residents' Welfare Associations (RWAs).

Giving this information here, the Delhi Tourism and Education Minister, Arvinder Singh Lovely, informed that the Delhi Government had decided to involve public participation in the upkeep and maintenance of monuments through the RWAs and non-government organisations under the Bhagidari scheme. To carry out these activities, financial assistance would be extended to the RWAs by the Department of Archaeology to the tune of Rs. 1 lakh per annum per monument. However, for this the RWAs would have to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government after a proper recommendation by the Committee headed by the Secretary (Art and Culture).

Elaborating further, Mr. Lovely said the new plan would be beneficial in a way as it would reduce the huge expenditure on the exchequer for deputing regular employees on salaries for watch and ward and regular maintenance of monuments. As it would involve maintenance of monuments by the RWAs, it would be ensured that maximum participation from the people who would feel proud to preserve the monuments in their locality and create awareness among the public to safeguard the cultural heritage which leads to the prolongation of the life of a cultural property. The Tourism Minister said grant-in- aid would be provided to the RWAs and NGOs who are registered for the last five years under the Society Registration Act 1860. The total quantum of grant would be distributed in two equal instalments and the expenditure would be on the watch and ward of the monuments, general cleanliness and upkeep.

The grant would be for the first year and could be continued further based on the performance of the RWAs and NGOs in the upkeep and maintenance of monuments. In case group of monuments situated in a particular locality, they would be considered as one unit for the purpose of grant. A total provision of Rs. 20 lakh has been made for this year under the scheme. He the Department had undertaken conservation 20 big monuments during the last few years and 100 more monuments of historical and architectural importance had been earmarked for the next five years.

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