Minister of Culture, Tourism and Development North Eastern Region G Kishan Reddy on Thursday told the Rajya Sabha that the ‘Monument Mitra’ scheme has brought a positive change in preserving India’s cultural heritage. The minister was replying to a question raised by Member of Parliament Kartikeya Sharma.
In a written reply, the minister said the scheme is a government initiative which aimed at enhancing the conservation and maintenance of heritage sites in India. Under this scheme, private and public organizations can adopt a monument, provide funds, and collaborate with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to preserve the monument’s cultural and historical significance.
The minister said that the ‘Monument Mitra’ scheme has been successful in bringing private sector participation and investment into heritage preservation, which is a positive development to ensure the conservation of India’s rich cultural heritage. “It has also helped in creating awareness about the importance of heritage sites and their value to society,” the minister said.
The Upper House was also informed that some experts fear that the increased involvement of private and public organizations in the conservation of heritage sites may lead to commercialization and privatization of monuments. “This could dilute the historical and cultural significance of the monuments and may pose a threat to India’s pluralistic heritage. Critics argue that the government should ensure that any development or changes made to heritage sites must be done within the framework of preserving their historical and cultural importance.”
The minister said that it is essential to ensure strict guidelines and regulations to maintain the pluralistic heritage of the country
