Panel submits report on monument protection By A Staff Reporter GUWAHATI, March 29 – The Departmentally Related Standing Committee of the State Assembly on Education 2008-09, in its 18th report, has asked the State Government to direct the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd (ONGC) to remove their establishments and oil pump stations from in and around the historical monuments of the State, particularly in Sivasagar region. The Committee headed by former Minister Sarat Barkataky, has said in its report that Director of Archaeology or Deputy Commissioner of the district concerned may be entrusted with the job to look after the works.
In another recommendation, the Committee has said that the Central developmental agencies like the National Highway Authority of India and ONGC and the State PWD, GMDA, Municipal Corporation etc should be directed to follow guidelines to restrain their developmental activities in neighbouring areas of the monuments, tanks, Naamghars etc. This is to be done in order to ensure free environmental and risk-free status of such monuments in historical locations.
It has also recommended that the State Government to instruct or suggest the Revenue Department to obtain ‘No Objection Certificate’ from the Directorate of Archaeology before mutating land for settlement or giving permission for developmental works in the areas adjacent to historical sites.
It has also suggested that the Director of Archaeology should be entrusted with the task of preservation of the ‘heritage buildings, bunglows constructed during the British regime and also such other 100 year-old buildings and also structures of Assamese cottages.’
Suggesting that the Directorate of Archaeology should be upgraded into Level-II Head of the Department providing it with infrastructure, equipment, employees as per requirement to enable it to protect the monuments and archaeological sites of the State.
The Committee has felt that to look after the heritage sites at least one caretaker or monument attendant should be engaged. If necessary, the post of caretaker/monument attendant may be created, it has said in its report.
