The Supreme Court on Thursday pulled up the Uttar Pradesh government for its failure in preserving the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Taj Mahal.


The apex court asked the Uttar Pradesh government, "Who is exactly the in-charge of the Taj Mahal?" In its observation, the court further said, "the left-hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing. It is surprising. Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ) authority has done nothing since it was set up in 1996."


The top court also came down heavily on the state government for filing a draft of the vision document with respect to the Taj Mahal trapezium. The court asked, "Why have you filed a draft? Are we supposed to correct it?"


The court division bench headed by Justice Madan Bhimrao asked the government about the in-charge of the environment protection and redevelopment of the area.


Justice Bhimrao said, "First environment ministry files affidavit, then ASI, then the Uttar Pradesh government. What is happening?"While observing that nobody wants to take responsibility for the world heritage site, Justice Lokur said, "Someone has to take responsibility. There has to be one authority which takes charge. It seems that authorities have washed their hands off the Taj."


"We are now in a situation where a vision document is prepared without the involvement of the ASI," he added. -- ANI