Ministers oppose bid to lease out monuments

  • 04/04/2006

  • Hindu (New Delhi)

A minor revolt is brewing in the BJP-led Government in Rajasthan with Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria rushing to Delhi to complain to the senior party leadership on the new legislation in the State facilitating the leasing out of ancient monuments to private parties. Mahesh Sharma, BJP State president, has also left for Delhi in this connection. The new law, the Rajasthan Monuments, Archaeological Sites and Antiquities (Amendment) Act 2006, was passed by the Assembly the previous day by a voice vote in the absence of the Opposition, even after protests from Mr.Kataria and some of his party colleagues. The new law would facilitate handing over of even the famed Hawa Mahal and Jantar Mantar of Jaipur and the historical Chittorgarh Fort to private parties who can charge up to Rs.2,500 from each visitor.