Union Culture Minister G. Kishan Reddy on Tuesday said the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) was working on an amendment to make the law that provides for preservation of monuments and archaeological sites “more flexible and people-friendly”. He was addressing the meeting of the Central Advisory Board on Archaeology (CABA) here.
Mr. Reddy, who chairs the CABA, said the amendment was under consideration. Later speaking to reporters, Mr. Reddy said a sub-committee would be formed to look into the matter. The Hindu had reported on February 6 this year that the Culture Ministry was working on an amendment to the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958, to change the current 100-metre prohibited area around protected monuments to site-specific limits.
According to an ASI statement, the meeting was attended by 25 members, including representatives from 15 states and four retired ASI director-generals. In a tweet, ASI said: “CABA met to strengthen contacts between ASI & other allied institutions to take archaeology forward. 42 resolutions from members were deliberated. Matters pertaining to excavations, manpower, training, conservation, collaboration with universities among other issues were discussed.”
