The Assam government has planned to bring a legislation in the next Assembly session to protect various heritage sites of the state.
As per reports, the government has already prepared the draft bill and it will be placed in the next cabinet meeting.
“The draft Bill is already ready. It will be placed in the next Cabinet meeting; and following its nod, the Bill will be presented in the forthcoming four-day Assembly session slated from August 31,” said an official.
The Bill proposes to provide protection, preservation, conservation, maintenance, restoration, development and promotion of the State heritage sites and objects — other than those declared by or under the law made by Parliament to be of national importance or those covered under the ‘Assam Ancient Monuments and Records Act-1959’.
‘The Assam Heritage (tangible) Protection, Preservation Conservation and Maintenance Bill, 2020’ was prepared by the Directorate of Archaeology.
Prior to its drafting, Archaeology Minister Keshab Mahanta had consultations with the CMO (Chief Minister’s Office) as well as senior officials of the other stakeholder departments.
The heritage sites include xatras, monasteries, stupas, naamghars, masjids, dargahs, and churches besides socio-cultural institutions and habitation structures having traditional architectures as well as monuments and their precincts.
The Bill also includes artifacts, sculptures, paintings, handicrafts, and manuscripts that have been in existence for not less than 75 years as on the date of coming into force of this Act.
