Odisha should perceive AMASR wants, ship recommendations: Centre

By Express News Service
BHUBANESWAR :  The Union Culture Ministry has sought cooperation from the Odisha authorities for framing heritage bylaws (HBLs) by the National Monument Authority (NMA) for the Centrally-protected temples within the State. With the draft heritage bylaws for Sri Jagannath temple in Puri withdrawn from the NMA web site following opposition, the Ministry has sought recommendations and proposals from all stakeholders together with the State authorities, sevayats and temple administrations for formulating bylaws for Brahmeswar temple, Ananta Basudeva temple, Mukteswar temple and Rameshwar temple in Bhubaneswar, all protected by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). 

The HBLs beneath the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) Act  for these temples are at a stage of being posted on NMA web site in order to ask recommendations/objections from the general public. Responding to the February 15 letter of Chief Secretary SC Mohapatra requesting withdrawal of draft heritage bylaws for Srimandir and temples in Ekamra Kshetra, Union Culture Secretary Raghvendra Singh stated the State authorities ought to perceive the statutory necessities beneath AMASR Act whereas coping with nationwide monuments.

Clarifying the process for preparation of heritage bylaws beneath AMASR Act and Rules there off (Framing of HBL and Other Functions of the Competent Authority), Singh stated that seven levels are concerned for the finalisation of the bylaws. The totally different levels are preparation of survey plan of the monument by ASI, formulation of draft HBL as per survey plan and submission to NMA which examines it. After incorporating recommendations/corrections by the members of the NMA, the identical is placed on the general public portal for inviting recommendations/objections from the general public (Rule 18 of National Monuments Authority (Appointment, Functions and Conduct of Business) Rules, 2011.

The recommendations/ objections acquired throughout session are thought-about by the NMA and if required, public listening to can be carried out. He stated the HBL is once more positioned earlier than the authority after incorporating all of the related recommendations from stakeholders for the ultimate approval. The bylaws permitted by NMA are despatched to the Ministry which lays it in each the Houses of the Parliament. After Parliament approval, the HBL is posted on the web site of NMA, ASI, MoC. The permitted HBL can be despatched to the city native physique (ULB) involved for incorporation within the native constructing plan.

“I would appreciate if suggestions/objections from all concerned including sevayat, temple administration, and the state government on the remaining for HBLs are sent to the NMA for consideration,” Singh stated.Meanwhile, BJP MP from Bhubaneswar Aparajita Sarangi on Thursday stated the federal government ought to perceive the statutory necessities beneath the AMSAR Act earlier than finishing up developmental actions. Posting the letter from the Ministry of Culture to the State authorities on her twitter deal with, Sarangi stated that developmental actions needs to be carried out in accordance with legal guidelines. “Unlawful action on part of the State government is not desirable,” she tweeted.