Take steps to bring back antiquities taken outside India: Par panel to Centre

April 26, 2016 22:19

A Parliamentary panel today asked the Culture Ministry to take necessary steps to recover antiquities sold abroad and bring back artifacts that were taken outside the country during the colonial rule through diplomatic dialogues and appropriate legal mechanisms.

The Public Accounts Committee, headed by Congress MP K V Thomas, in its report on 'Protection and Conservation of Monuments and Antiquities' expressed "displeasure over the absence of an appropriate and effective mechanism" for acquisition of anitquities in the country so far and also delay in bringing about amendments to the Antiquities and Art Treasure Act 1972.

The panel's observations assume significance in the backdrop of recent developments triggering a fresh debate over bringing back the iconic Kohinoor diamond from England.

"The Committee note with serious concern that the Ministry is yet to bring amendments to the Act even after a lapse of nearly two decades, though the process to amend the Act was initiated in 1997," it said. "The Committee, therefore, desire that the ministry expedite the finalization of the draft Antiquities and Art Treasure Amendment Bill," it said.

The Public Accounts Committee also noted "lack of effective monitoring in removing" of encroachments and "absence of any coordinated effort" to check unauthorised constructions within conservation areas.

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