The Hindu Business Line : Heritage awards on May 19

THE Governor of Andhra Pradesh, Mr Surjit Singh Barnala, will give away awards to six "well-conserved and preserved heritage buildings, lakes, gardens and precincts" at a function to be held on May 19 here.

Marking the event, Ms Surjit Kaur Barnala will release the Intach Heritage annual, an informative document focussing on "some facets of life in Hyderabad". The annual awards are instituted by the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (Intach).

Addressing a news conference here on Monday, Mr Shravan Kumar, the Convener of Intach's local chapter, said that the organisation had submitted a memorandum to Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu, the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, on May 5, asking him to direct the authorities concerned to strictly enforce heritage regulations.

"We also urged him to revise the regulations giving them teeth to take action against the offenders and direct the Municipal Corporation and district collectors of Hyderabad and Ranga Reddy to remove unauthorised buildings, encroachments and other actions that cause damage to the rich heritage of Hyderabad," he said.

The organisation also suggested that the Government set up a co-ordination committee comprising representatives from the Government, Intach and other parties concerned to oversee the implementation of various decisions taken to protect heritage buildings.

Mr Sushil Kumar, the Convener of the awards committee, sought the help of corporate houses in maintaining heritage buildings. The State Bank of Hyderabad (SBH) has agreed to sponsor the heritage awards for the next three years, besides agreeing to adopt the Gunfoundry Building near the bank's headquarters in a bid to conserve the building.

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Heritage awards on May 19

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