Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendment) Bill, 2017 was passed by the Lok Sabha on January 2, 2017.
-This bill will allow the government to take up infrastructure projects within the 100 meter prohibited within prohibited areas around protected monuments.
-The bill proposes amendments in the legislation to the 1958 Act that prohibits carrying out any public work or project or other constructions in any prohibited area around protected monuments.
-The Bill also seeks to have a new definition of “public works” under the Act.
-Currently, more than 3,600 monuments and sites centrally-protected fall under the jurisdiction of the Archaeological Survey of India, which is responsible for their maintenance and upkeep.
Why the bill: The prohibition on new construction within prohibited areas of a protected monument was adversely affecting various public works and developmental projects taken by the central government. According to the Ministry of Culture, amendments were done for construction works related to infrastructure financed and carried out by any department or office of the central government for public purposes which is necessary for the safety or security of the public at large.
What is prohibited area: A ‘prohibited area’ means land in the 100-meter radius around a protected monument. Constructions are not allowed in the prohibited areas except for repair and renovation works.
