The Centre has decided to withdraw four heritage sites of Assam from its ‘Adopt A Heritage’ scheme, on Friday.
Earlier the centre had planned to hand over world heritage site Kaziranga National Park (KNP) and three Sivasagar sites — Rang Ghar, Kareng Ghar and Shiva Dol to JTI Group.
The decision to withdraw from the scheme comes in the wake of various protests that broke out all over the state. Organizations like All Assam Students Union (AASU), Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) and others protested against the decision.
Assam Tourism Minister Chandan Brahma led a team to meet Union Tourism Minister KJ Alphons and apprised him of the resentment against the scheme in the state.
Although no official announcement has been made yet, the Union Tourism Minister after being informed of the negative public opinion, has agreed to remove the sites.
Assam government held talks with protesting groups and took up the issue with the Central Government to reconsider the decision.
Under the ‘Monument Mitra‘ scheme the union government plans to entrust heritage sites/monuments and other tourist sites to private sector companies, public sector companies and individuals for the development of tourist amenities around these sites.