The Hindu : New Delhi News : ASI to charge fee for events in, around monuments

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Mar 19, 2005

New Delhi

New Delhi

ASI to charge fee for events in, around monuments

By Mandira Nayar

NEW DELHI, MARCH 18. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has finally put its foot down on the matter of monuments being virtually reduced to a backdrop at cultural programmes and will now demand a fee from the organisers. Two years after the then Union Minister for Tourism and Culture, Jagmohan, ordered that no monuments will be given out free, the ASI has now got its act together and framed guidelines for cultural programmes held at heritage monuments.

"Earlier the monuments used to get nothing in return from the functions held in their grounds. We were just left to clean up the mess after the event. But now that the guidelines have been framed, we will be able to get Rs. 25,000 per day for an event held in the land outside a protected monument. For events where a part of the monument is used with the land, the fee will be Rs. 50,000 per day," an ASI official said.

These guidelines will be binding on all ASI-protected monuments across the country.

For monuments outside Delhi, the fee would be Rs. 10,000 for using the area outside the monuments and Rs. 25,000 for the area within the monument.

Taking a strong stand, the ASI will also levy a fee on Government departments and ministries. "We recently got a request from the Ministry of Commerce to be exempt for a function it was holding at Purana Quila. It was turned down. The ministries will be given concession for use of these monuments, but they will be charged," sources revealed.

Apart from the fee, the ASI will also charge organisers an additional security deposit that will be refundable. "The deposit will be Rs. 5,000 per day in Delhi, whereas in other circles it will be Rs. 30,000. It will be refunded in a week's time after the ASI has inspected the site for any damages. The cost incurred by the ASI to clear garbage or litter will also be deducted from this amount," an ASI official stated.

The guidelines also clearly specify the kind of functions that can be held at monuments -- preferably cultural events of "high standard" -- and state that permission will not be granted for any events that involve any commercial or religious activity.

Monuments where cultural functions can be held have been listed in the guidelines. In Delhi, Arab-ki-Sarai and the outer lawns of Isa Khan's Tomb in the Humayun's Tomb complex have been cleared for such activities. The other historical spaces that can be used are Talab Mahal, Roshanara Garden, the open area in the Qutub Minar complex, the lawn and outer open area of Purana Quila. The oldest fortification of the Capital -- Quila Rai Pithora -- and the open area of Red Fort can also be used for the cultural programmes.

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