NEW DELHI, Apr 28: The Government today dismissed Congress’s allegations that it is trying to “privatise” India’s heritage saying that the contract signed with Dalmia Bharat Group giving it access to The Red Fort does not entail any profit-making activity.
Earlier this week, Dalmia Group had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ministry of Tourism to adopt the iconic Mughal-era monument for next five years at a cost of Rs 25 crore. As per the agreement, the corporate giant would build basic infrastructure around the monument and maintain it.
“No profit activity will take place,” Union minister Mahesh Sharma clarified.
The minister said that Dalmia Group has been assigned the task of adding value to the services being provided to tourists visiting the 17th-century monument.
“President announced a scheme of GoI on World Tourism Day 2017, that those interested in value addition to any services of monuments can come forward. Some services of Red Fort has been given to Dalmia Group,” he added.
Earlier today, the Congress party had slammed the government’s move to “privatise” the Mughal-era monument.
“They are handing over the iconic monument to a private business. What is your commitment to the idea of India, to the history of India? We know you have no commitment, but we still want to ask you,” Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera told reporters here.
“Do you have dearth of funds. Why funds for the ASI (Archaeological Survey of India) lapse, why do they lapse? See the CAG (Comptroller and Auditor General) reports. If they have paucity of funds, then why do they lapse?” he asked.
Earlier this week, the Dalmia Bharat Limited signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ministry of Tourism for the adoption of Red Fort monument under the ‘Adopt a Heritage’ project.
By signing the contract, the group became a part of ‘Monument Mitras’, a group of various private sector companies assigned to look after the operations and the maintenance of the heritage site for the next five years.
The MoU was signed in the presence of KJ Alphons, Hon’ble Minister of State for Tourism (Independent Charge) and other senior officials of Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Culture and Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
Under the project, the Dalmia group will construct, landscape, illuminate and maintain activities related to provision and development of tourist amenities. This includes basic and advanced amenities such as public conveniences, clean drinking water, cleanliness of the monument, accessibility for all, signage, cloakroom facilities, illumination and night viewing, surveillance system, tourist facilitation-cum-interpretation centre.
Keeping in mind the easy accessibility to the differently-abled visitors, there will be ramps and toilet facilities for the differently-abled. Facilities like wheelchairs, battery-operated vehicles, braille signages are some of the key additions, which will make the Red Fort a barrier-free monument.
The company said in a statement that advanced surveillance system like pan-tilt-zoom CCTV cameras will be installed. Dalmia Bharat will also assist in controlling the advanced tourist flow management system linked with carrying capacity of the monuments, including light and sound shows with regular cultural shows and facilitation of night visits to the monuments.
The ‘Adopt A Heritage’ scheme (Apni Dharohar Apni Pehchan Project) was launched by President of India on World Tourism Day (27th September 2017). Under it, private, public sector companies and corporate individuals are invited to adopt heritage sites and to take up responsibility for making them and promote sustainable tourism through conservation and development under their Corporate Social Responsibility activities.
On April 24, the ministry awarded the Letters of Intent to nine agencies for 22 monuments of Phase-IV of the scheme, including the Taj Mahal in Uttar Pradesh, Chittorgarh Fort in Rajasthan, Mehrauli Archeological Park and Gol Gumbad in Delhi.
Union Minister for Tourism KJ Alphons asked the stakeholders to “protect, preserve and market” the heritage of India. He emphasised on creating awareness among corporates and citizens to adopt the heritage sites under the scheme for maintenance of amenities at tourist destinations.
Other than Dalmia Bharat, GMR Sports, a part of infrastructure conglomerate GMR Group, and consumer products and cigarette company, ITC Ltd, have also expressed interest in adopting a monument under the Tourism Ministry’s ‘Adopt a Heritage’ scheme.
According to a PTI report, the two corporate groups are expected to sign a similar MoU for Taj Mahal as well.
