ANCIENT MONUMENTS AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES AND REMAINS ACT, 1958

ANCIENT MONUMENTS AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES AND REMAINS ACT, 1958

Preamble 1 - ANCIENT MONUMENTS AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES AND REMAINS ACT, 1958

THE ANCIENT MONUMENTS AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL

SITES AND REMAINS ACT, 1958

[Act, NO. 24 of 1958]

[28th August, 1958]

PREAMBLE

An Act to provide for the preservation of ancient and historical monuments and archaeological site and remains of national importance, for the regulation of archaeological excavations and for the protection of sculptures, carvings and other like objects.

BE it enacted by Parliament in the Ninth Year of the Republic of India as follows:-

Section 1 - Short title, extent and commencement

(1)     This Act may be called the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958.

(2)     It extends to the whole of India, [1] [***]

(3)     It shall come into force on such date as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint.

Section 2 - Definitions

In this Act unless the context otherwise requires,-

(a)      "ancient monuments" means any structure, erection or monument, or any tumulus or place of interment, or any cave, rock-sculpture, inscription or monolith, which is of historical, archaeological or artistic interest and which has been in existence for not less than one hundred years, and includes-

(i)       the remains of an ancient monument.

(ii)      the site of an ancient monument,

(iii)     such portion of land adjoining the site of an ancient monument as may be required for fencing or covering in or otherwise preserving such monument, and

(iv)    the means of access to, and convenient inspection of, an ancient monument;

(b)      "antiquity" includes-

(i)       any coin, sculpture ,manuscript, epigraph, or other work of art or craftsmanship.

(ii)      any article, objector thing detached from a building or cave,

(iii)     any article, objector thing illustrative of science, art, crafts, literature, religion, customs, morals or politics in bygone ages,

(iv)    any article, objector thing of historical interest, and

(v)      any article, objector thing declared by the Central Government, by notification in the Official Gazette, to be an antiquity for the purposes of this Act.

which has been in existence for not less than one hundred years;

(c)      "archaeological officer" means an officer of the Department of Archaeology of the Government of India not lower in rank than Assistant Superintendent of Archaeology;

(d)      "archaeological site and remains" means any area which contains or is reasonably believed to contain ruins or relics of historical or archaeological importance which have been in existence for not less than one hundred years, and includes-

(i)       such portion of land adjoining the area as may be required for fencing or covering in or otherwise preserving it, and

(ii)      the means of access to, and convenient inspection of, the area;

[2] ['(da) "Authority" means the National Monuments Authority constituted under section 20F;

(db) "competent authority" means an officer not below the rank of Director of archaeology or Commissioner of archaeology of the Central or State Government or equivalent rank, specified, by notification in the Official Gazette, as the competent authority by the Central Government to perform functions under this Act:

Provided that the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify different competent authorities for the purpose of sections 20C, 20D and 20E;

(dc) "construction" means any erection of a structure or a building, including any addition or extension thereto either vertically or horizontally, but does not include any re-construction, repair and renovation of an existing structure or building, or, construction, maintenance and cleansing of drains and drainage works and of public latrines, urinals and similar conveniences, or, the construction and maintenance of works meant for providing supply of water for public, or, the construction or maintenance, extension, management for supply and distribution of electricity to the public or provision for similar facilities for public;]

(e) ?"Director-General"means the Director-General of Archaeology, and includes any officer authorised by the Central Government toper form the duties of the Director-General;

(f)? ?"maintain, with its grammatical variations and cognate expressions, includes the fencing, covering in, repairing, restoring and cleansing of a protected monument, and the doing of any act which may be necessary for the porpoise of preserving a protected monument or of securing convenient access thereto;

(g) ?"owner" includes-

(i)       a joint owner invested with powers of management on behalf of himself and other joint owners and the successor-in-title of any such owner; and

(ii)      any manager or trustee exercising powers of management and the successor-in-office of any such manager or trustee;

(h) ??"prescribed" means prescribed by rules made under this Act;

[3] [(ha) "prohibited area" means any area specified of declared to be a prohibited area under section 20A;]

(i) ??"protected area" means any archaeological site and remains which is declared to be of national importance by or under this Act;

(j)? ?"protected monument" means an ancient monument which is declared to be of national importance by or under this Act.

[4] [(k) "re-construction" means any erection of a structure or building to its pre-existing structure, having the same horizontal and vertical limits;

(l)? ?"regulated area" means any area specified or declared under section 20B;

(m) "repair and renovation" means alterations to a pre-existing structure or building, but shall not include construction or re-construction;]

Section 2A - Construction of references to any law not in force in the State of Jammu and Kashmir

[5] [ 2A. Construction of references to any law not in force in the State of Jammu and Kashmir.

Any reference in this Act to any law which is not in force in the State of Jammu and Kashmir shall, in relation to that State, be construed as a reference to the corresponding law, if any, in force in that State.]

Section 3 - Certain ancient monuments, etc., deemed to be of national importance

All ancient and historical monuments and all archaeological sites and remains which have been declared by the Ancient and Historical Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Declaration of National Importance) Act, 1951 (71 of 1951), or by section 126 of the States Reorganisation Act, 1956 (37 of 1956), to be of national importance shall be deemed to be ancient and historical monuments or archaeological sites and remains declared to be of national importance for the purposes of this Act.

Section 4 - Power of Central Government to declare ancient monuments, etc., to be of national importance

(1)     Where the Central Government is of opinion that any ancient monument or archaeological site and remains not included in section 3 is of national importance, it may, by notification in the official Gazette, give two months' notice of its intention to declare such ancient monument or archaeological site and remains to be of national importance; and a copy of every such notification shall be affixed in a conspicuous place near the monument or site and remains, as the case may be.

(2)     Any person interested in any such ancient monument or archaeological site and remains may, within two months after the issue of the notification, object to the declaration of the monument, or the archaeological site and remains, to be of national importance.

(3)     On the expiry of the said period of two months, the Central Government may after considering the objections, if any, received by it, declare by notification in the Official Gazette, the ancient monument or the archaeological site and remains, as the case may be, to be of national importance.

(4)     A notification published under sub-section (3) shall, unless and until it is withdrawn, be conclusive evidence of the fact that the ancient monument or the archaeological site and remains to which it relates is of national importance for the purposes of this Act.

Section 4A - Categorisation and classification in respect of ancient monuments or archaeological sites and remains declared as of national importance under sections 3 and 4

[6] [(1) The Central Government shall, on the recommendation of the Authority, prescribe categories in respect of ancient monuments or archaeological sites and remains declared as of national importance under sections 3 and 4, and while prescribing such categories it shall have regard to the historical, archaeological and architectural value and such other factors as may be relevant for the purpose of such categorisation.

(2)? ?The Central Government shall, on the recommendation of the Authority, classify all the ancient monuments or archaeological sites and remains declared as of national importance under sections 3 and 4, in accordance with the categories prescribed under sub-section (1) and thereafter make the same available to the public and exhibit the same on its website and also in such other manner as it may deem fit.]

Section 5 - Acquisition of rights in a protected monument

(1)     The Director-General may, with the sanction of the Central Government, purchase, or take a lease of, or accept a gift or bequest of, any protected monument.

(2)     Where a protected monument is without an owner, the Director-General may, by notification in the Official Gazette, assume the guardianship of the monument.

(3)     The owner of any protected monument may, by written instrument, constitute the Director-General the guardian of the monument, and the Director-General the guardian of the monument, and the Director-General may, with the sanction of the Central Government, accept such guardianship.

(4)     When the Director-General has accepted the guardianship of a monument under sub-section (3), the owner shall, except as expressly provided in this Act, have the same estate, right, title and interest in and to the monument as if the Director-General had not been constituted a guardian thereof.

(5)     When the Director-General has accepted the guardianship of a monument under sub-section (3), the provisions of this Act relating to agreements executed under section 6 shall apply to the written to agreements executed under the said sub-section.

(6)     Nothing in this section shall affect the use of any protected monument for customary religious observations.

Section 6 - Preservation of protected monument by agreement

(1)     the Collector, when so directed by the Central Government, shall propose to the owner of a protected monument to enter into an agreement with the Central Government within a specified period for the maintenance of the monument.

(2)     An agreement under this section may provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:-

(a)      the maintenance of the monument:

(b)      the custody of the monument and the duties of any person who may be employed to watch it;

(c)      the restriction of the owner's right-

(i)       to use the monument for any purpose,

(ii)      to charge any fee for entry into, or inspection of, the monument,

(iii)     to destroy, remove, alter or deface the monument, or

(iv)    to build on or near the site of the monument;

(d)      the facilitates of access to be permitted to the public or any section thereof or to archaeological officers or to persons deputed by the owner or any archaeological officer or the Collector to inspect or maintain the monument;

(e)      the notice to be given to the Central Government in case the land on which the monument is situated or any adjoining land is offered for sale by the owner, and the right to be reserved to the Central Government to purchase such land, or any specified portion of such land, at its market value;

(f)       the payment of any expenses incurred by the owner or by the Central Government in connection with the maintenance of the monument;

(g)      the proprietary or other rights which are to vest in the Central Government in respect of the monument when any expenses are incurred by the Central Government in connection with the maintenance of the monument;

(h)     the appointment of an authority to decide any dispute arising out of the agreement; and

(i)       any matter connected with the maintenance of the monument which is a proper subject of agreement between the owner and the Central Government.

(3)     The Central Government or the owner may, at any time after the expiration of three years from the date of execution of an agreement under this section, terminate it on giving six months' notice in writing to the other party:

Provided that where the agreement is terminated by the owner, he shall pay to the Central Government the expenses, if any, incurred by it on the maintenance of the monument during the five years immediately preceding the termination of the agreement or, if the agreement has been in force for a shorter period, during the period the agreement was in force.

(4)     An agreement under this section shall be binding on any person claiming to be the owner of the monument to which it relates, from, through or under a party by whom or on whose behalf the agreement was executed.

Section 7 - Owners under disability or not in possession

(1)     If the owner of a protected monument is unable, by reason of infancy or other disability, to act for himself, the person legally competent to act on his behalf may exercise the powers conferred upon an owner by section 6.

(2)     In the case of village property, the headman other village-officer exercising powers of management over such property may exercise the powers conferred upon an owner by section 6.

(3)     Nothing in this section shall be deemed to empower any person not being of the same religion as the person on whose behalf he is acting to make or execute an agreement relating to a protected monument which or any part of which is periodically used for the religious worship or observances of that religion.

Section 8 - Application of endowment to repair a protected monument

(1)     If any owner or other person competent to enter into an agreement under section 6 for the maintenance of a protected monument refuses or fails to enter into such an agreement, and if any endowment has been created for the purpose of keeping such monument in repair or for that purpose among other, the Central Government may institute a suit in the court of the district judge, or, if the estimated cost of repairing the monument does not exceed one thousand rupees, may make an application to the district judge, for the proper application of such endowment or part thereof.

(2)     On the hearing of an application under sub-section (1), the district judge may summon and examine the owner and any person whose evidence appears to him necessary and may pass an order for the proper application of the endowment or of any part thereof, and any such order may be executed as if it were a decree of a civil court.

Section 9 - Failure or refusal to enter into an agreement

(1)     If any owner or other person competent to enter into an agreement under section 6 for the maintenance of a protected monument refuses or fails to enter into such an agreement, the Central Government may make an order providing for all or any of the matters specified in sub-section (2) of section 6 and such order shall be binding on the owner or such other person and on every person claiming title to the monument from, through or under, the owner or such other person.

(2)     Where an order made under sub-section (1) provides that the monument shall be maintained by the owner or other person competent to enter into an agreement all reasonable expenses for the maintenance of the monument shall be payable by the Central Government.

(3)     No order under sub-section (1) shall be made unless the owner or other person has been given an opportunity of making a representation in writing against the proposed order.

Section 10 - Power to make order prohibiting contravention of agreement under section 6

(1)     If the Director-General apprehends that the owner or occupier of a protected monument intends to destroy, remove, alter, deface, imperil or misuse the monument or to build on or near the site thereof in contravention of the terms of an agreement under section 6, the Director-General may, after giving the owner or occupier an opportunity of making a representation in writing, make an order prohibiting any such contravention of the agreement:

Provided that no such opportunity may be given in any case where the Director-General, for reasons to be recorded, is satisfied that it is not expedient or practicable to do so.

(2)     Any person aggrieved by an order under this section may appeal to the Central Government within such time and in such manner as may be prescribed and the decision of the Central Government shall be final.

Section 11 - Enforcement of agreements

(1)     If an owner or other person who is bound by an agreement for the maintenance of a monument under section 6 refuses or fails within such reasonable time as the Director-General may fix, to do any act which in the opinion of the Director-General is necessary for the maintenance of the monument, the Director-General may authorise any person to do any such act, and the owner or other person shall be liable to pay the expenses of doing any such act or such portion of the expenses as the owner may be liable to pay under the agreement.

(2)     If any dispute arises regarding the amount of expenses payable by the owner or other person under sub-section (1), it shall be referred to the Central Government whose decision shall be final.

Section 12 - Purchasers at certain sales and persons claiming through owner bound by instrument executed by owner

Every person who purchases, at a sale for arrears of land revenue or any other public demand, any land on which is situated a monument in respect of which any instrument has been executed by the owner for the time being under section 5 or section 6, and every person claiming any title to a monument from, through or under, an owner who executed any such instrument, shall be bound by such instrument.

Section 13 - Acquisition of protected monuments

If the Central Government apprehends that a protected monument is in anger of being destroyed, insured, misused, or allowed to fall into decay, it may acquire the protected monument under the provisions of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 (1 of 1894), as if the maintenance of the protected monument were a public purpose within the meaning of that Act.

Section 14 - Maintenance of certain protected monuments

(1)     The Central Government shall maintain every monument which has been acquired under section 13 or in respect of which any of the rights mentioned in section 5 have been acquired.

(2)     When the Director-General has assumed the guardianship of a monument under section 5, he shall, for the purpose, of maintaining such monument, have access to the monument at all reasonable times, by himself and by his agents, subordinates and workmen, for the purpose of inspecting the monument and for the purpose of bringing such materials and doing such acts as he may consider necessary or desirable for the maintenance thereof.

Section 15 - Voluntary contributions

The Director-General may receive voluntary contributions towards the cost of maintaining a protected monument and may give orders as to the management and application of any funds so received by him;

Provided that no contribution received under this section shall be applied to any purpose other than the purpose for which it was contributed.

Section 16 - Protection of place of worship from misuse, pollution or desecration

(1)     A protected monument maintain by the Central Government under this Act which is a place of worship or shrine shall not be used for any purpose inconsistent with its character.

(2)     Where the Central Government has acquired a protected monument under section 13, or where the Director-General has purchased, or taken a lease or accepted a gift or bequest or assumed guardianship of, a protected monument under section 5, and such monument or any part the derives used for religious worship or observances by any community, the Collector hall make due provisions for the protection of such monument or part thereof, from pollution or desecration-

(a)      by prohibiting the entry therein, except in accordance with the conditions prescribed with the concurrence of the persons, if any, in religious charge of the said monument or part thereof, of any person not entitled so to enter by the religious usages of the community by which the monument or part thereof is used, or

(b)      by taking such other action as he may think necessary in this behalf.

Section 17 - Relinquishment of Government rights in a monument

With the sanction of the Central Government, the Director-General may,-

(a)      where rights have been acquired by the Director-General in respect of any monument under this Act by virtue of any sale, lease, gift or will, relinquish, by notification in the Official Gazette, the rights so acquired to the person who would for the time being be the owner of the monument if such rights had not been acquired; or

(b)      relinquish any guardianship of a monument which he has assumed under this Act.

Section 18 - Right of access to protected monuments

Subject to any rules made under this Act, the public shall have a right of access to any protected monument.

Section 19 - Restrictions on enjoyment of property rights in protected areas

(1)     No person, including the owner or occupier of a protected area, shall construct any building within the protected area or carry on any mining quarrying, excavating, blasting or any operation of a like nature in such area, or utilise such area or any part thereof in any other manner without the permission of the Central Government:

Provided that nothing in this sub-section shall be deemed to prohibit the use of any such area or part thereof for purposes of cultivation if such cultivation does not involve the digging of not more than one foot of soil from the surface.

(2)     The Central Government may, by order, direct that any building constructed by any person within a protected area in contravention of the provisions of sub-section (1) shall be removed within a specified period and, if the person refuses or fails to comply with the order, the Collector may cause the building to be removed and the person shall be liable to pay the cost of such removal.

Section 20 - Power to acquire protected area

If the Central Government is of opinion that any protected area contains an ancient monument or antiquities of national interest and value, it may acquire such area under the provisions of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 (1 of 1894), as if the acquisition were for a public purpose within the meaning of that Act.

Section 20A - Declaration of prohibited area and carrying out public work or other works in prohibited area

PROHIBITED AND REGULATED AREAS

(1)          [7] [Every area, beginning at the limit of the protected area or the protected monument, as the case may be, and extending to a distance of one hundred meters in all directions shall be the prohibited area in respect of such protected area or protected monument:

Provided that the Central Government may, on the recommendation of the Authority, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify an area more than one hundred meters to be the prohibited area having regard to the classification of any protected monument or protected area, as the case may be, under section 4A.

(2)          Save as otherwise provided in section 20C, no person, other than an archaeological officer, shall carry out any construction in any prohibited area.

(3)          In a case where the Central Government or the Director-General, as the case may be, is satisfied that?

(a)      it is necessary or expedient for carrying out such public work or any project essential to the public; or

(b)      such other work or project, in its opinion, shall not have any substantial adverse impact on the preservation, safety, security of, or, access to, the monument or its immediate surrounding, it or he may, notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (2), in exceptional cases and having regard to the public interest, by order and for reasons to be recorded in writing, permit, such public work or project essential to the public or other constructions, to be carried out in a prohibited area:

Provided that any area near any protected monument or its adjoining area declared, during the period beginning on or after the 16th day of June, 1992 but ending before the date on which the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendment and Validation) Bill, 2010, receives the assent of the President, as a prohibited area in respect of such protected monument, shall be deemed to be the prohibited area declared in respect of that protected monument in accordance with the provisions of this Act and any permission or licence granted by the Central Government or the Director-General, as the case may be, for the construction within the prohibited area on the basis of the recommendation of the Expert Advisory Committee, shall be deemed to have been validly granted in accordance with the provisions of this Act, as if this section had been in force at all material times:

Provided further that nothing contained in the first proviso shall apply to any permission granted, subsequent to the completion of construction or re-construction of any building or structure in any prohibited area in pursuance of the notification of the Government of India in the Department of Culture (Archaeological Survey of India) number S.O. 1764, dated the 16th June, 1992 issued under rule 34 of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Rules, 1959, or, without having obtained the recommendations of the Committee constituted in pursuance of the order of the Government of India number 24/22/2006-M, dated the 20th July, 2006 (subsequently referred to as the Expert Advisory Committee in orders dated the 27th August, 2008 and the 5th May, 2009).]

[8] [(4) No permission, referred to in sub-section (3), including carrying out any public work or project essential to the public or other constructions, shall be granted in any prohibited area on and after the date on which the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendment and Validation) Bill, 2010 receives the assent of the President.]

Section 20B - Declaration of regulated area in respect of every protected monument

[9] [Every area, beginning at the limit of prohibited area in respect of every ancient monument and archaeological site and remains, declared as of national importance under sections 3 and 4 and extending to a distance of two hundred meters in all directions shall be the regulated area in respect of every ancient monument and archaeological site and remains:

Provided that the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify an area more than two hundred meters to be the regulated area having regard to the classification of any protected monument or protected area, as the case may be, under section 4A:

Provided further that any area near any protected monument or its adjoining area declared, during the period beginning on or after the 16th day of June, 1992 but ending before the date on which the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendment and Validation) Bill, 2010, receives the assent of the President, as a regulated area in respect of such protected monument, shall be deemed to be the regulated area declared in respect of that protected monument in accordance with the provisions of this Act and any permission or licence granted for construction in such regulated area shall, be deemed to have been validly granted in accordance with the provisions of this Act, as if this section had been in force at all material times.]

Section 20C - Application for repair or renovation in prohibited area, or construction or re-construction or repair or renovation in regulated area

[10] [(1) Any person, who owns any building or structure, which existed in a prohibited area before the 16th day of June, 1992, or, which had been subsequently constructed with the approval of the Director-General and desires to carry out any repair or renovation of such building or structure, may make an application to the competent authority for carrying out such repair or renovation, as the case may be.

(2) ??Any person, who owns or possesses any building or structure or land in any regulated area, and desires to carry out any construction or re-construction or repair or renovation of such building or structure on such land, as the case may be, may make an application to the competent authority for carrying out construction or re-construction or repair or renovation, as the case may be.]

Section 20D - Grant of permission by competent authority within regulated area

 GRANT OF PERMISSION BY COMPETENT AUTHORITY

[11] [(1) Every application for grant of permission under section 20C of this Act shall be made to the competent authority in such manner as may be prescribed.

(2)?? The competent authority shall, within fifteen days of the receipt of the application, forward the same to the Authority to consider and intimate impact of such construction (including the impact of large-scale development project, public project and project essential to the public) having regard to the heritage bye-laws relating to the concerned protected monument or protected area, as the case may be:

Provided that the Central Government may prescribe the category of applications in respect of which the permission may be granted under this sub-section and the application which shall be referred to the Authority for its recommendations.

(3) ??The Authority shall, within two months from the date of receipt of application under sub-section (2), intimate to the competent authority impact of such construction (including the impact of large-scale development project, public project and project essential to the public).

(4) ??The competent authority shall, within one month of the receipt of intimation from the Authority under sub-section (3), either grant permission or refuse the same as so recommended by the Authority.

(5) ??The recommendations of the Authority shall be final.

(6) ??In case the competent authority refuses to grant permission under this section, it shall, by order in writing, after giving an opportunity to the concerned person, intimate such refusal within three months from the date of receipt of the application to the applicant, the Central Government and the Authority.

(7)? ?If the competent authority, after grant of the permission under sub-section (4) and during the carrying out of the repair or renovation work or re-construction of building or construction referred to in that sub-section, is of the opinion (on the basis of material in his possession or otherwise) that such repair or renovation work or re-construction of building or construction is likely to have an adverse impact on the preservation, safety, security or access to the monument considerably, it may refer the same to the Authority for its recommendations and if so recommended, withdraw the permission granted under sub-section (4) if so required:

Provided that the competent authority may, in exceptional cases, with the approval of the Authority grant permission to the applicant referred to in sub-section (2) of section 20C until the heritage bye-laws have been prepared under sub-section (1) of section 20E and published under sub-section (7) of that section.

(8)? ?The Central Government, or the Director-General, as the case may be, shall exhibit, on their website, all the permissions granted or refused under this Act.]

Section 20E - Heritage bye-laws

[12] [(1) The competent authority, in consultation with Indian National Trust for Arts and Cultural Heritage, being a trust registered under the Indian Trusts Act, 1882 (2 of 1882), or such other expert heritage bodies as may be notified by the Central Government, shall prepare heritage bye-laws in respect of each protected monument and protected area.

(2)? ?The heritage bye-laws referred to in sub-section (1) shall, in addition to such matters as may be prescribed, include matters relating to heritage controls such as elevations, facades, drainage systems, roads and service infrastructure (including electric poles, water and sewer pipelines).

(3)? ?The Central Government shall, by rules, specify the manner of preparation of detailed site plans in respect of each protected area or protected monument or prohibited area or regulated area, the time within which such heritage bye-laws shall be prepared and particulars to be included in each such heritage bye-laws.

(4) ??The competent authority for the purpose of preparation of detailed site plans and heritage bye-laws may appoint such number of experts or consultants as it may deem fit.

(5) ??A copy of each of the heritage bye-laws prepared under sub-section (1) shall be forwarded to the Authority for its approval.

(6)? ?A copy of the heritage bye-laws as approved by the Authority under sub-section (5) shall be laid before each House of Parliament.

(7) ??Each heritage bye-laws shall, be made available by the competent authority to the public, by exhibiting the same on its website and also in such other manner as it may deem fit, immediately after laying the same before each House of Parliament.]

Section 20F - Constitution-of National Monuments Authority

NATIONAL MONUMENTS AUTHORITY

[13] [(1) The Central Government shall, by notification in the Official Gazette, constitute an Authority to be called as the National Monuments Authority.

(2)? ?The Authority shall consist of,--

(a)      a Chairperson, on whole-time basis, to be appointed by the President, having proven experience and expertise in the fields of archaeology, country and town planning, architecture, heritage, conservation-architecture or law;

(b)      such number of members not exceeding five whole-time members and five part-time members to be appointed, on the recommendation of the Selection Committee referred to in section 20G, by the Central Government, having proven experience and expertise in the fields of archaeology, country and town planning, architecture, heritage, conservation-architecture or law;

(c)      the Director-General as member, ex officio.

(3)? ?The tenure of the whole-time Chairperson or every whole-time member and every part-time member, of the Authority shall be three years from the date on which he assumes office as such and shall not be eligible for re-appointment:

Provided that, save as otherwise provided in clause (c) of sub-section (2), any person who has held any post in the Archaeological Survey of India or in the Ministry of Culture of the Government of India or a State Government or has not been found fit to be considered for being appointed to any such post shall, not be eligible to be appointed as the Chairperson or a member of the Authority:

Provided further that any person, who had either been granted a permission or licence or refused any such permission or refused grant of a licence or any person or any of his relative having any interest in a prohibited area or a regulated area shall not be eligible to be appointed as a Chairperson or member.

Explanation.--For the purposes of this section, "relative" means--

(i)       spouse of the Chairperson or member of the Authority;

(ii)      brother or sister of the Chairperson or member of the Authority;

(iii)     brother or sister of the spouse of the Chairperson or member of the Authority;

(iv)    brother or sister of either of the parents of the Chairperson or member of the Authority;

(v)      any lineal ascendant or descendant of the Chairperson or member of the Authority;

(vi)    any lineal ascendant or descendant of the spouse of the Chairperson or member of the Authority;

(vii)   spouse of the person referred to in clauses (ii) to (vi);

(4) ??An officer, not below the rank of Joint Secretary to the Government of India, shall be the Member Secretary of the Authority.

(5) ??The Central Government shall provide such number of officers and other employees as may be necessary for discharge of functions by the Authority under this Act.]

Section 20G - Selection Committee for selection of members of Authority

[14] [(1) Every whole-time member and every part-time member of the Authority shall be selected by a Selection Committee consisting of the following persons, namely:--

(a)      Cabinet Secretary -- Chairperson, ex officio;

(b)      Secretary in the Ministry of Culture --member, ex officio;

(c)      Secretary in the Ministry of Urban development-- member, ex officio;

(d)      three experts, having proven experience and expertise in the fields of archaeology, architecture, heritage or conservation-architecture to be nominated by the Central Government.

(2) ??The Selection Committee referred to in sub-section (1) shall regulate its own procedure for the purposes of selecting whole-time members and part-time members of the Authority.]

Section 20H - Salary, allowances and meetings of Authority

[15] [(1) The salaries and allowances payable to the whole-time Chairperson and whole-time members, and the other terms and conditions of their service or fees or allowances payable to the part-time members, of the Authority shall be such as may be prescribed:

Provided that neither the salary and allowances nor the other terms and conditions of service of the whole-time Chairperson and whole-time members shall be varied to their disadvantage after their appointment.

(2) ??The Authority shall regulate its own procedure for the purposes of holding its meetings (including quorum of such meetings) and granting permissions under this Act.

(3) ??All the decisions of the Authority shall be published in such manner as it may decide and also on its own website and on the website of the Central Government.]

Section 20I - Functions and powers of Authority

[16] [(1) The Authority shall exercise or discharge the following powers or functions, namely:--

(a)      make recommendations to the Central Government for grading and classifying protected monuments and protected areas declared as of national importance under sections 3 and 4, before the commencement of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendment and Validation) Act, 2010;

(b)      make recommendations to the Central Government for grading and classifying protected monuments and protected areas which may be declared after the commencement of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendment and Validation) Act, 2010, as of national importance under section 4;

(c)      oversee the working of the competent authorities;.

(d)      to suggest measures for implementation of the provisions of this Act;

(e)      to consider the impact of large-scale developmental projects, including public projects and projects essential to the public which may be proposed in the regulated areas and make recommendations in respect thereof to the competent authority;

(f)       to make recommendations to the competent authority for grant of permission.

(2) ??The Authority shall, for the purpose of discharging functions under this Act, have the same powers as are vested in a civil court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (5 of 1908) while trying a suit in respect of the following matters, namely:--

(a)      summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person and examining him on oath;

(b)      requiring the discovery and production of documents;

(c)      any other matter which may be prescribed.]

Section 20J - Removal of Chairperson and members

 [17] [(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (3) of section 20F, the President in the case of the Chairperson and the Central Government in the case of whole-time member and part-time member may, by order, remove from office, the Chairperson or any such member of the Authority, if he --

(a)      has been adjudged an insolvent; or

(b)      has been convicted of an offence which, in the opinion of the Central Government, involves moral turpitude; or

(c)      has become physically or mentally incapable of acting as Chairperson or member; or

(d)      has acquired such financial or other interests as is likely to affect prejudicially his functions; or

(e)      has so abused his position as to render his continuance in office prejudicial to the public interest.

(2) ??The Chairperson or any member of the Authority shall not be removed under clauses (d) and (e) of sub-section (1) unless he has been given a reasonable opportunity of being heard in the matter.]

Section 20K - Restriction on future employment by Chairperson and members

[18] [On ceasing to hold office, the Chairperson or whole-time member of the Authority, as the case may be, shall, subject to the provisions of this Act, be ineligible, for a period of five years from the date on which they cease to hold office, for further employment (including as consultant or expert or otherwise) in any institution, agency or organisation of any nature mainly dealing with archaeology, country and town planning, architecture, heritage and conservation-architecture or whose matters had been before the Chairperson or such member.]

Section 20L - Power of Central Government to issue directions to Authority

[19] [(1) Without prejudice to the foregoing provisions of this Act, the Authority shall, in exercise of its powers or the discharge of its functions under this Act, be bound by such directions on question of policy, other than those relating to technical and administrative matters, as the Central Government may give in writing to it from time to time:

Provided that the Authority shall, as far as practicable, be given an opportunity to express its views before any direction is given under this sub-section.

(2) ??The decision of the Central Government, whether a question is one of policy or not, shall be final.]

Section 20M - Power of Central Government to issue directions to competent authority

[20] [Without prejudice to the foregoing provisions of this Act, the competent authority shall, in exercise of its powers or the discharge of its functions under this Act, be bound by such directions, as the Central Government may give in writing to it from time to time.]

Section 20N - Power of Central Government to supersede Authority

[21] [(1) If, at any time the Central Government is of the opinion,--

(a)      that, on account of circumstances beyond the control of the Authority, it is unable to discharge the functions or perform the duties imposed on it by or under the provisions of this Act; or

(b)      that the Authority has persistently defaulted in complying with any direction given by the Central Government under this Act or in the discharge of the functions or performance of the duties imposed on it by or under the provisions of this Act and as a result of such default the financial position of the Authority or the administration of the Authority has suffered; or

(c)      that circumstances exist which render it necessary in the public interest so to do, the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, supersede the Authority for such period, not exceeding six months, as may be specified in the notification and appoint a person or persons as the President may direct to exercise powers and discharge functions under this Act:

Provided that before issuing any such notification, the Central Government shall give a reasonable opportunity to the Authority to make representations against the proposed super session and shall consider the representations, if any, of the Authority.

(2) ??Upon the publication of a notification under sub-section (1) superseding the Authority,--

(a)      the Chairperson and all other whole-time members and part-time members shall, as from the date of super session, vacate their offices as such;

(b)      all the powers, functions and duties which may, by or under the provisions of this Act, be exercised or discharged by or on behalf of the Authority shall, until the Authority is reconstituted under sub-section (3), be exercised and discharged by the person or persons referred to in sub-section (1); and

(c)      all properties owned or controlled by the Authority shall, until the Authority is reconstituted under sub-section (3), vest in the Central Government.

(3)? ?On or before the expiration of the period of super session specified in the notification issued under sub-section (1), the Central Government shall reconstitute the Authority by a fresh appointment of its Chairperson and other whole-time members and part-time members and in such case any person who had vacated his office under clause (a) of sub-section (2) shall not be deemed to be disqualified, subject to the provisions of sub-section (3) of section 20F for reappointment for the remaining period.

(4)?? The Central Government shall cause a copy of the notification issued under sub-section (1) and a full report of any action taken under this section and the circumstances leading to such action to be laid before each House of Parliament at the earliest.]

Section 20O - Bar of jurisdiction of civil court

[22] [No civil court shall have jurisdiction in respect of any matter which the Authority is empowered by or under this Act to determine and no injunction shall be granted by any court or other authority in respect of any action taken or to be taken in pursuance of any power conferred by or under this Act.]

____________________________

Section 20P - Annual report

[23] [(1) The Authority shall prepare once in every year, in such form and at such time as may be prescribed by the Central Government, an annual report giving full description of all the activities of the Authority for the previous year.

(2) ??A copy of the report received under sub-section (1) shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is received, before each House of Parliament.]

Section 20Q - Power to call for information

[24] [Where the Central Government considers it expedient so to do, it may, by order in writing call upon the Authority or the competent authority, as the case may be, to furnish in writing such information, in such form and manner as may be prescribed, relating to its affairs as the Central Government may require.]

Section 21 - Excavations in protected areas

An archaeological officer or an officer authorised by him in this behalf or any person holding a licence granted in this behalf under this Act (hereinafter referred to as the licensee) may, after giving notice in writing to the Collector and the owner, enter upon and make excavations in any protected area.

Section 22 - Excavations in areas other than protected areas

 Where an archaeological officer has reason to believe that any area not being a protected area contains ruins or relies of historical or archaeological importance, he or an officer authorised by him in this behalf may, after giving notice in writing to the Collector and the owner, enter upon and make excavations in the area.

Section 23 - Compulsory purchase of antiquities, etc., discovered during excavation operations

(1)     Where, as a result of any excavations made in any area under section 21 or section 22, any antiquities are discovered, the archaeological officer or the licensee, as the case may be, shall, -

(a)      as soon as practicable, examine such antiquities and submit a report to the Central Government in such manner and containing such particulars as may be prescribed;

(b)      at the conclusion of the excavation operations, give notice in writing to the owner of the land from which such antiquities have been discovered, of the nature of such antiquities.

(2)     Until an orders for the [25] [compulsory acquisition] of any such antiquities is made under sub -section ( 3), the archaeological officer or the licensee, as the case may be, shall keep them in such safe custody as he may deem fit.

(3)     On receipt of a report under sub -section ( 1), the Central Government may make an order for the2[compulsory acquisition of any such antiquities].

(4)     When an order for the[26][compulsory acquisition] of any antiquities is made under sub -section ( 3), such antiquities shall rest in the Central Government with effect from the date of the order.

Section 24 - Excavations, etc., for archaeological purposes

No State Government shall undertake or authorise any person to undertake any excavation or other like operation for archaeological purposes in any area which is not a protected area except with the previous approval of the Central Government and in accordance with such rules or directions, if any, as the Central Government may make or give in this behalf.

Section 25 - Power of Central Government to control moving of antiquities

(1)     If the Central Government considers that any antiquities or class of antiquities ought not to be moved from the place where they are without the sanction of the Central Government, the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, direct that any such antiquity or any class of such antiquities shall not be moved except with the written permission of the Director-General.

(2)     Every application for permission under sub-section (1) Shall be in such form and contain such particulars as may be prescribed.

(3)     Any person aggrieved by an order refusing permission may appeal t the Central Government whose decision shall be final.

Section 26 - Purchase of antiquities by Central Government

(1)     If the Central Government apprehends that any antiquity mentioned in a notification issued under sub -section ( 1) of section 25 is in danger of being destroyed, removed, injured, misused or allowed to fall into decay or is of opinion that, by reason of its historical or archaeological importance, it is desirable to preserve such antiquity in a public place, the Central Government may make an order for the[27][compulsory acquisition of any such antiquities] and the Collector shall thereupon give notice to the owner of the antiquity to be purchased.

(2)     Where a notice of[28] [compulsory acquisition] is issued under sub -section ( 1) in respect of any antiquity, such antiquity shall vest in the Central Government with effect from the date of the notice.

(3)     The power of[29] [compulsory acquisition] given by this section shall not extend to any image or symbol actually used for bona fide religious observations.

Section 27 - Compensation for loss or damage

Any owner or occupier of land who has sustained any loss or damage or any diminution of profits from the land by reason of any entry on, or excavations in, such land or the exercise of any other power conferred by this Act shall be paid compensation by the Central Government for such loss, damage or diminution of profits.

Section 28 - Assessment of market value or compensation

(1)     The market value of any property which the Central Government is empowered to purchase at such value under this Act or the compensation to be packed by the Central Government in respect of anything done under this Act shall, where any dispute arises in respect of such market value or compensation, be ascertained in the manner provided in sections, 3, 5, 8 to 34, 45 to 47, 51 and 52 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 (1 of 1894), so far as they can be made applicable:

Provided that, when making an enquiry under the said Land Acquisition Act, the Collector shall be assisted by two assessors, one of whom shall be a competent person nominated by the Central Government and one a person nominate by the owner, or, in case the owner fails to nominate an assessor within such reasonable time as may be fixed by the Collector in this behalf, by the Collector.

[(2) ?For every antiquity in respect of which an order for compulsory acquisition has been made under sub-section (3) of section 23 or under sub-section (1) of section 26, there shall be paid compensation and the provisions of section 20 and 22 of the Antiquities and Art Treasures Act, 1972 shall, so far as may be, apply in relation to the determination and payment of such compensation as they apply in relation to the determination and payment of compensation for any antiquity or art treasure compulsorily acquired under section 19 of that Act.]

Section 29 - Delegation of powers

 The Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette , direct that any powers conferred on it by or under this Act shall, subject to such conditions as may be specified in the direction, be exercisable also by-

(a)      such officer or authority subordinate to the Central Government or

(b)      such State Government or such officer or authority subordinate to the State Government, as may be specified in the direction.

Section 30 - Penalties

(1)     Whoever?

(i)       destroys, remove, injures, alters, defaces, imperil or misuses a protected monument, or

(ii)      being the owner or occupier of a protected monument, contravenes an order made under sub-section (1) of section 9 or under sub-section (1) of section 10, or

(iii)     removes from a protected monument any sculpture carving, image, bas-relief, inscription, or other like object, or

(iv)    does any act in contravention of sub-section (1) of section 19.

shall be punishable with imprisonment which may extend to three shall be punishable with [30] [imprisonment which may extend to two years], or with [31][fine which may extend to one laky rupees], or with both.

(2)     Any person who moves any antiquity in contravention of a notification issued under sub-section (1) of section 25 shall be punishable with [32] [imprisonment which may extend to two years or with fine which may extend to one laky rupees or with both]; and the court convicting a person of any such contravention may be order direct such person to restore the antiquity to the place from which it was moved.

Section 30A - Punishment for construction, etc., in prohibited area

[33] [Whoever raises, on and after the date on which the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendment and Validation) Bill, 2010, receives the assent of the President, any construction in the prohibited area, shall be punishable with imprisonment not exceeding two years or with fine which may extend to one laky rupees or with both.]

Section 30B - Punishment for construction, etc., in regulated area

[34] [Whoever raises, on and after the date on which the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendment and Validation) Bill, 2010, receives the assent of the President, any construction in the regulated area without the previous permission of the competent authority or in contravention of the permission granted by the competent authority, shall be punishable with imprisonment not exceeding two years or with fine which may extend to one laky rupees or with both.]

Section 30C - Offences by officers of Government

[35] [If any officer of the Central Government enters into or acquiesces in any agreement to do, abstains from doing, permits, conceals or connives at any act or thing whereby any construction or re-construction takes place in a prohibited area or regulated area, he shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both.]

Section 31 - Jurisdiction to try offences

No court inferior to that of a presidency magistrate or a magistrate of the first class shall try any offence under this Act.

Section 32 - Certain offences to be cognizable

Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (5 of 1898), an offence under clause (i) or clause (iii) of sub-section (1) of section 30, shall be deemed to be a cognizable offence within the meaning of that Code.

Section 33 - Special provision regarding fine

Notwithstanding anything contained in section 32 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (5 of 1898), it shall be lawful for any magistrate, of the first class specially empowered by the State Government in this behalf and for any presidency magistrate to pass a sentence of fine exceeding two thousand rupees on any person convicted of an offence which under this Act is punishable with fine exceeding two thousand rupees.

Section 34 - Recovery of amounts due to the Government

Any amount due to the Government from any person under this Act may, on a certificate issued by the Director-General or an archaeological officer authorised by him in this behalf be recovered in the same manner as an arrear of land revenue.

Section 35 - Ancient monuments, etc., which have ceased to be of national importance

If the Central Government is of opinion that any ancient and historical monument or archaeological site and remains declared to be of national importance by or under this Act has ceased to be of national importance, it may, by notification in the Official Gazette, declare that the ancient and historical monuments or archaeological site and remains, as the case may be, has ceased to be of national importance for the purposes of this Act.

Section 35A - Obligation to survey the protected prohibited area and regulated areas

[36] [(1) The Director-General shall, within such time as may be specified by the Central Government, conduct a survey or cause survey to be conducted in respect of all prohibited areas and regulated areas for the purpose of detailed site plans.

(2) ??A report in respect of such survey referred to in sub-section (1) shall be forwarded to the Central Government and to the Authority.]

Section 35B - Identification of unauthorised constructions on or after 16th June, 1992

[37] [(1) The Director-General shall, within such time as may be specified by the Central Government, identify or cause to be identified, all constructions (of whatever nature) made on and after the 16th day of June, 1992 in all prohibited areas and regulated areas and, thereafter, submit from time to time a report in respect thereof to the Central Government.

(2)? ?The Director-General shall, for the purposes of sub section (1), have the power to call for information from the local bodies and other authorities.] 

Section 36 - Power to correct mistakes, etc

Any clerical mistake, patent error or error arising form accidental slip or omission in the description of any ancient monument or archaeological site and remains declared to be of national importance by or under this Act may, at any time, be corrected by the Central Government by notification in the Official Gazette.

Section 37 - Protection of action taken under the Act

No suit for compensation and no criminal proceeding shall lie against any public servant in respect of any act done or in good faith intended to be done in the exercise of any power conferred by this Act

Section 38 - Power to make rules

(1)     The Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette and subject to the condition of previous publication, make rules for carrying out the purposes of this Act.

(2)     In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such rules may provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:-

(a)      the prohibition or regulation by licensing or otherwise of mining, quarrying, excavating blasting or any operation of a like nature near a protected monument or the construction of buildings on land adjoining such monument and the removal of unauthorised buildings;

(b)      the grant of licences and permissions to make excavations for archaeological purposes in protected areas, the authorities by whom, and the retractions and conditions subject to which, such licences may be granted, the taking of securities from licensees and the fees that may be charged for such licensees;

(c)      the right of access of the public to a protected monument and the fee, if any, to be charged therefore;

[38] [(ca) the categories of ancient monuments or archaeological sites and remains, declared as of national importance, under sub-section (1) of section 4A;

(cb) ?the manner of making application for grant of permission under sub-section (1) of section 20D;

(cc) ?the category of applications in respect of which the permission may be granted and applications which shall be referred to the Authority for its recommendation, under sub-section (2) of section 20D;

(cd) ?the other matters including heritage controls such as elevations, facades, drainage systems, roads and service infrastructure (including electric poles, water and sewer pipelines) under sub-section (2) of section 20E;

(ce) ?the manner of preparation of detailed site plans in respect of each prohibited area and regulated area and the time within which such heritage bye-laws shall be prepared and particulars to be included in each such heritage bye-laws under sub-section (3) of section 20E;

(cf) ?salaries and allowances payable to, and the other terms and conditions of service of, the whole-time Chairperson and whole-time members, or fees or allowances payable to the part-time members, of the Authority under sub-section (1) of section 20H;

(cg) ?the form in which and time at which the Authority shall prepare an annual report giving full description of its activities for the previous year under section 20P;

(ch) ?the form and manner in which the Authority and competent authority shall furnish information to the Central Government under section 20Q;]

(d) ??the form and contends of the report of an archaeological officer or a licensee under clause (a) of sub-section (1) of section 23;

(e)? ?the form in which application s for permission under section 19 or section 25 may be made and the particulars which they should contain

(f) ???the form and manner of preferring appeals under this Act and the time within which they may be preferred;

(g) ??the manner of service of any order or notice under this Act;

(h) ??the manner in which excavations and other like operations for archaeological purposes may be carried on;

(i) ??any other matter which is to be or may be prescribed.

(3)     Any rule made under this section may provide that a breach thereof shall be punishable,-

(i)       in the case of a rule made with reference to clause (a) of sub-section (2), with imprisonment which may extend to three months, or with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees, or with both;

(ii)      in the case of a rule made with reference to clause (b) of sub-section (2), with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees;

(iii)     in the case of a rule made with reference to clause (c) of sub-section (2), with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees.

(4)     All rules made under this section shall be laid for not less than thirty days before each House of Parliament as soon as possible after they are made, and shall be subject to such modifications as Parliament may make during the session in which they are so laid or the session immediately following.

Section 39 - Repeal and Savings

(1)     The Ancient and Historical Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Declaration of National Importance) Act, 1951 (71 of 1951), and section 126 of the States Reorganisation Act, 1956 (37 of 1956), are hereby, repealed.

(2)     The Ancient Monuments Preservation Act, 1904 (7 of 1904), shall cease to have effect in relation to ancient and historical monuments and archaeological sites and remains declared by or under this Act to be of national importance, except as respects things done or omitted to be done before the commencement of this Act.