Uproar in Assam over ‘Adopt a Heritage’ move

In a new development to the Central Government’s ‘move to include the Kaziranga National Park in the ‘Adopt a Heritage’ scheme, the State Government has decided to move Centre to

In a new development to the Central Government’s ‘move to include the Kaziranga National Park in the ‘Adopt a Heritage’ scheme, the State Government has decided to move Centre to not include the Park within the ambit of the proposal.

Meanwhile, the 15 organisations that have been opposing the proposed move to include the Ahom-era monuments under the scheme have given the government a 15-day deadline to withdraw it.

In eastern Assam, supporters of 15 organisations besides those of the Ahom Sena, the All Assam Minority Students Union, the Sadau Asom Tai Ahom Mahila Parishad, the Chutiya Tai Ahom Chatrra Sanstha resorted to burning of effigies and blocked the 39 National Highway.

The opposition Congress has asked Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal to take up with the Centre to exclude the heritage sites in the state from the ‘Adopt A Heritage Scheme’. Starting that under no circumstances, engagement of private parties for the upkeep of the heritage sites can be supported, Leader of the Opposition, Debabrata Saikia added that the identity of the Assamese is linked with these heritage sites.

Former Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has lambasted the State Government for not being able to preserve the heritage sites of the state.

On the other hand, Assam Tourism Development Corporation chairman Jayanta Malla Baruah clarified that development and maintenance of world-class tourist infrastructure under companies’ CSR activity cannot be called privatisation.

It’s wrong information that is being spread on the scheme. Even public sector companies can also get involved. The scheme clearly mentions that the activity is for operation and maintenance of tourism infrastructure in and around heritage monuments and sites. Baruah confirmed that a private company has submitted expression of interest for the sites selected in the state.

Meanwhile commenting on the issue in New Delhi today, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal assured that the Government would not do anything against the interest of the people of the State.

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