Lok Sabha Question No. 1941 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-28
Subject: Agreement for Development of Tourist Sites
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: CHANDRAKANT BHAURAO KHAIRE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1941 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.11.2016 AGRAHAYANA 7, 1938 (SAKA)

## AGREEMENT FOR DEVELOPMENT OF TOURIST SITES

## +1941. SHRI  CHANDRAKANT KHAIRE:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Archaeological  Survey  of  India  (ASI)  and  Maharashtra Government have signed an agreement for the development of various tourist  sites  and  tourist  amenities  in  the  State  and  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- (b) whether all the monuments and their surrounding areas under ASI in Maharashtra are proposed to be developed including those in Aurangabad and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the  expenditure  sharing  ratio  between  the  Government  and  the Maharashtra  Government  under  the  agreement  and  the  amount  of funds mobilised so far?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE, CULTURE AND TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)

(DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

- (a) Yes, Madam. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and Maharashtra Government have signed an agreement for the development  of  various  tourist  sites  and  tourist  amenities  in  the Maharashtra State.  The details of the MoU are at Annexure.
- (b) Yes,  Madam.    The  MoU  covers  all  centrally  protected  monuments  in the State of Maharashtra.
- (c) As per the MoU, the Maharashtra Government shall arrange requisite funds for all the projects to be taken up under the MoU.

## ANNEXURE

## ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1941 FOR 28.11.2016

## SALIENT  FEATURES  OF  MEMORANDUM  OF  UNDERSTANDING  BETWEEN ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA AND GOVERNMENT OF MAHARASHTRA

The Memorandum of Undertaking has been executed on 23.08.2016

The President of India through Director General, Archaeological survey of India as first party  to  the  MOU and  the  Governor  of Maharashtra through the  Chief  Secretary and Principal Secretary (Department of Culture and Tourism), Government of Maharashtra as Second party to the MOU

The Government of Maharashtra has entrusted Department of Tourism and Culture of Govt. of Maharashtra for the Development of amenities/ facilities at the tourists locations (centrally protected monuments under ASI) to the tourists travelling to Maharashtra.

Director,  Maharashtra  Tourism  Development  Corporation (MTDC)  or  any  officer entrusted by Principal Secretary (Tourism), Government of Maharashtra shall preparing proposals/project  for providing  tourists  facilities/amenities  in  and  around  centrally protected monuments/sites in Maharashtra in consultation with Superintending Archaeologist, ASI under whose jurisdiction, the monument/site falls.

The Director, MTDC shall appoint Consultant/Architect/Conservation Architect/Heritage Architect  for  preparation  of  Master  Plan  (i.e.  proposals/project  for  providing  tourists facilities/amenities).

Superintending  Archaeologist,  ASI  shall  examine  all  proposals  submitted  by  the Director, Government of Maharashtra.

Regional Director, ASI may suggest modification with respect to design, material or item of  work or any other modifications. Director, Government of Maharashtra, shall revise the proposal accordingly.

In case of Regulated Area, Regional Director, ASI shall be the Competent Authority for accordance of approval for repairs and up gradation of Tourism Infrastructure.

In case of Protected Area, Regional Director, ASI shall forward the proposal (DPR) to Director General, ASI with his comments for accordance of approval Director General, ASI.

ASI shall allow Director or any Agency engaged/entrusted by Director or Department of Tourism to execute the works under supervision of Superintending Archaeologist, ASI.

For the works related with Conservation/Restoration of Monuments, ASI or any agency engaged/entrusted by the ASI shall execute all such works.

For  the  conservation  projects  entrusted  to  ASI,  Government  of  Maharashtra  or  any other Government Agency shall deposit the requisite funds with the ASI or the agency with which ASI has entered into an agreement for execution the work for the project. All projects will be completed in a reasonable time (Maximum 03 years).

Special consideration for forts in Maharashtra has been given looking into geographic location and size.

Government of Maharashtra shall arrange requisite funds for all the projects.

Public  private  participation  (PPP)  mode  shall  be  adopted  in  conservation/  restoration and provision of tourism amenities. As per the policy of PPP declared and promoted by Govt. of India, Director, Govt. of Maharashtra or MD, MTDC shall explore the possibility of PPP mode for implementation of projects or funding.

The MOU specify maintenance and management of facilities created by ASI as well as by Government of Maharashtra case to case basis.

Since  the  Govt.  of  Maharashtra  is  bearing  expenses  for  any  such  amenities/visitor facilities at ASI protected monuments, no departmental charge shall be levied by ASI, if any.

Provision  of  Core  Committee  for  management  of  MOU  :  A  seven  member  Core Committee  under  the  Chairmanship  of  Principal  Secretary  (Tourism),  GoM  shall  look into finalizing the Master Plan, advising on user fee and other activities related with the Restoration/Conservation/Providing Tourism Amenities to be provided at the Monument.

The  MOU  further  specify  issues  like  festival  to  be  organized  by  Government  of Maharashtra at centrally protected monuments, seperatibility and dispute resolution.

The MOU is valid for the period of ten years.