GUWAHATI, May 5 - Considering the ongoing resentment among the people of Assam over the Union government�s �Adopt a Heritage� project as well as the legal hitches attached to two of the sites chosen for the same, the State government has decided to take up the issue with the Centre for re-evaluation.
State Tourism Minister Chandan Brahma, who had talks with the representatives of 14 organisations protesting the Centre�s move to give three heritage sites and the Kaziranga National Park to private parties for their upkeep and building tourist-friendly facilities, today assured them that the concerns of the people of Assam would be conveyed to the Centre for necessary action.
It may be noted that the State government has already written to the Centre, asking to exclude the Kaziranga National Park from the scheme�s ambit since it falls under the State Forest Department and the existing laws do not permit such activities. Further, since the Siva Doul is under the State Archeological Department, there are some legal hitches in handing over the upkeep of the site through a Union government project, said sources in the State Tourism Department.
Also regarding the other archeological sites under the ASI, the government would communicate the concerns of the people to the authorities. Brahma also asked all the organisations to give their concerns in writing, which could be relayed to the Centre.
Meanwhile, the AASU has asked the State government to ensure that funds of CSR activities in the State be routed through the State government, which will ensure the government has a say in matters related to upkeep and maintenance of heritage sites.
�The State government must come up with a comprehensive policy to maintain its heritage sites properly and build all the necessary amenities,� AASU advisor Samujjal Bhattacharya told The Assam Tribune.
In its representation, the student body pointed out that the State government has already announced a project worth Rs 32.5 crore for building amenities around Rang Ghar, Talatal Ghar, Joysagar tank and Charaideo. Further, the Sivasagar district administration has prepared a list of 551 sites for preservation and maintenance.
�Considering the activities already planned or taken up around our heritage sites, we believe that the �Adopt a Heritage� scheme is not required for Assam. Rather, the State government should take up a comprehensive scheme to preserve our heritage sites as per Clause 6 of the Assam Accord,� Bhattacharya said.
Other organisations participating in the meeting also expressed their concern that though the scheme did not have provision for taking up the site entirely, any change in the rules later would restrict the State�s hands in their management.