Question:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

(a) Whether Monument Mitra scheme is going to threaten the pluralistic heritage of the
country;
(b) whether Government has any criteria for permitting a company to maintain a heritage site;
(c) whether trained professionals will be provided to the companies to understand the sites
and their history without interfering with it;
(d) whether all the monuments under this Scheme would be in accordance with and protected
by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI); and
(e) if not, the consequences of letting businesses occupy prime public land to build their
brands at the cost of further diminishing grounds around iconic monuments?

Answer

THE MINISTER OF CULTURE, TOURISM AND DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN
REGION
(SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

(a) No Sir.
b) Under the Monument Mitra scheme, the corporate sectors are encouraged to adopt
centrally protected monuments and sites to develop and maintain amenities through
Corporate Social Responsibility funds.
(c) The corporate sectors are permitted to provide and maintain tourist amenities like
washroom, drinking water, child care room, benches, pathways, garbage bins, signage
etc under the guidance of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Besides, cleaning of
the monument premises is also attended by the Monument Mitra.
(d)
&
(e)
This scheme launched by the Ministry of Tourism in 2017 envisages enhancing tourist
experience in Centrally Protected Monuments under ASI, State Protected Monuments
and Natural/Tourist places. All the aspects of amenities in respect of Centrally Protected
Monuments are duly examined and monitored by ASI.