DNA: New Delhi: Monday, February 13, 2017.
The
Archaeological Survey of India, mandated to protect ancient monuments, does not
have record of demarcated area around marble wonder Taj Mahal in which any new
construction is prohibited.
This strange
fact came during a hearing before Central Information Commission wherein an RTI
applicant had approached seeking the demarcated area around the Taj in which
construction is not permitted.
The
transparency law makes it obligatory on part of public authorities to disclose
information sought by an applicant on the payment of Rs 10 unless it attracts
any provisions which allow it to be withheld from disclosure.
The RTI
applicant wanted information about demarcation of 500 metre boundary around the
mausoleum of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan and his wife Mumtaj Mahal where new
construction is prohibited.
The Central
Public Information Officer (CPIO) of the ASI said the "record" is not
available with them.
Irked by the
response, Information Commissioner Sridhar Acharyulu said the government has a
duty to regulate the construction activity around the protected monument of
national importance such as Taj Mahal which was also declared a World Heritage
Site in 1983 and attracts around three million visitors from across the globe
every year.
Issuing a
show cause notice to the CPIO for explaining denial of information, the
Commission also directed the ASI to designate an official who would keep record
of complaints on the harassment of residents in the protective zone.
The RTI Act
mandates the ASI and the local government to inform the people about the area
demarcated, houses included in it, roads and other parts to which regulation
extends, the restrictions imposed, procedure of securing permission for
maintenance work around Taj Mahal, Acharyulu stated.
"The ASI
did not have make any such voluntary disclosure of thisuseful information which
would have protected the monument. And when the appellant wanted that under the
RTI Act, the ASI claimed that it did not have that record.
"If it
does not know the demarcated area around the monument, how can it implement ASI
Act and protect the monument from violators of constructions restrictions? How
can they identify violators of the law and punish," he asked.