Preserving heritage is a mission, says Jagmohan

Express News Service
New Delhi, July 25: The Centre plans to institute a full-fledged Central
Administrative Service dedicated to archaeology and heritage and launch a
national mission for art and antiques in an effort to preserve
country’s heritage, Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Jagmohan
today said.

He was addressing an interactive meet between parliamentarians and resource
agencies working in the field of heritage, organised by UNESCO.

The meeting was held to create awareness and discuss the issue of illicit
trafficking in heritage properties. The discussion aimed to facilitate
interaction between parliamentarians and resource agencies on the issue.

Jagmohan added: ‘‘We plan to amend the antiquities act to make
cognisable offence any dealings in the artefacts.’’ He said
that a proposal was also under consideration for the excavation at 1500
sites on the route of river Saraswati between Haryana and Gujarat to dig
out hidden historic treasures.

The minister also said that a proposal to start a central service of
archaeology and heritage is also in the pipeline.

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Mark Hall
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