Committee to Prevent Encroachments at State-Protected Monuments, Similar to Forts

 

Committee to Prevent Encroachments at State-Protected Monuments, Similar to Forts

The Cabinet meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, approved the decision to constitute a committee under the chairmanship of the Minister for Cultural Affairs to prevent encroachments at state-protected monuments, on the lines of measures taken for forts.

As per this decision, the scope of provisions in the earlier Government Resolution of the Department of Cultural Affairs dated January 20, 2025, relating to removal of encroachments on forts, has been expanded to include state-protected monuments as well.

The Cabinet has approved the formation of a State-level Committee to remove existing encroachments on all forts and state-protected monuments in the state and to prevent future encroachments. The Minister for Cultural Affairs will be the Chairperson of the committee. Members will include the Ministers for Revenue, Rural Development, Tourism, Public Works, Forests, Ports and Development, along with the Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, or Additional Chief Secretaries of the concerned departments.

The Cabinet has also approved the inclusion of four invitee members in the State-level Committee, and four non-government members in each District-level Committee to be constituted. These non-government members must be experts on forts and state-protected monuments, or individuals, institutions, or voluntary organizations actively working in the field of conservation and preservation.

At the district level, action to prevent and remove encroachments on forts and state-protected monuments will be undertaken by the concerned District Collectors, in coordination with the departments owning the respective lands. Expenditure for this purpose may be met from the District Planning and Development Fund.