Bengaluru: The Legislative Council on Thursday passed the Chalukya’s Heritage Area Management Authority Bill, 2017, for conservation of Chalukya heritage area of Badami, Aihole and Pattadakal with all its archaeological remains and natural environment.
The Bill aims to preserve the cultural identity and ensure sustainable development of the Chalukaya heritage.
Explaining the objectives of the Bill, Minister for Kannada and Culture Umashree, who tabled the Bill, said it was aimed to prevent uncontrolled development of the heritage area and its commercial exploitation.
The Bill, which is already passed by the Legislative Assembly during the Belagavi session in last November, envisages executing works as contemplated in the development plan, coordinating activities of the local authorities, taking action to protect public property in heritage areas, and encouraging research into the archaeological, historical and environmental values of Chalukya’s heritage.
The proposed Authority will consist with Bagalkote District Deputy Commissioner as Chairman, the Commissioner, Department of Archaeology, Museums and Heritage, Mysuru, the Director of Town and Country Planning Department, Bengaluru, the Director of Tourism Department, Bengaluru, Superintendent of Police, Bagalkote, the Superintending Archaeologist, Archaeological Survey of India, Dharwad Circle, the Chief Executive Officer of Zilla Panchayat, Bagalkote, the Deputy Conservator of Forests, Bagalkote, the Commissioner, Town Municipal Council, Badami, the Superintendent Engineer, Bagalkote Circle, the Deputy Environment Officer, Bagalkote, the Executive Engineer, Water Resources Department, Bagalkote, and the Commissioner, Department of Archaeology, Museums and Heritage as its members while the Commissioner of the Authority as member secretary.
Participating in the debate, Ramachandra Gowda, BJP member, opined that allocation of Rs 1 crore would not be sufficient for the constitution of the Chalukya’s Heritage Area Management Authority. “The Rs 1 crore will not be sufficient even to pay travelling and dearness allowance to the officials attending the meetings. I want the government to sanction a minimum of Rs 5 crore for this purpose,’’ Ramachandra Gowda said.
Expressing concern over the non-inclusion of local MLA or MLC in the proposed Authority, JD(S) member Ramesh Babu wanted the government to include local legislators in the members’ list of the Authority. “Instead of making Deputy Commissioner as the Chairman of the Chalukya’s Heritage Area Management Authority, it will be better if the government makes the district in-charge minister as the Chairman of the Authority,’’ Ramaesh Babu said.
Appreciating the government for introducing the Chalukya’s Heritage Area Management Authority Bill, 2017, BJP member Ganesh Karnik has said there were no basic amenities at various historic places in the state.
“I want the government to provide basic amenities at Badami, Aihole and Pattadkal for the benefit of tourists,’’ Karnik said.
Replying to the debate, Minister for Kannada and Culture Umashree said the government would take measures to have sufficient fund for the maintenance of the proposed Authority.
“The government has allocated Rs 1 crore in the last Budget for the formation of the Chalukya’s Heritage Area Management Authority. It is an initial amount. There will be no shortage of funds in the near future,’’ the minister said.
She has also said the government has decided to make the Deputy Commissioner as the Chairman of the Chalukya’s Heritage Area Management Authority instead of legislators or other officials. “I am of the opinion that Deputy Commissioner is capable of organising and attending the meetings of the Chalukya’s Heritage Area Management Authority,’’ the minister said.
