Bill drafted to shield Assam heritage sites and objects

GUWAHATI: For the maiden time, the Assam government has initiated the step to protect various heritage sites. Sources informed that 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.

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'.

Above all, the move is aimed at safeguarding these heritage sites from encroachments and damages in accordance with the objectives contained in Clause-VI of the Assam Accord 1985 to ensure legislative and administrative safeguards of the heritages in Assam.

'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.

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