Stringent punishment in store for art thieves

New Delhi, Mar 19 (UNI) Concerned over the rampant trafficking of India's priceless treasure troves, the Government has decided to strengthen the Antiquities and Art Treasures Act, 1972, providing for exemplary punishment to those indulging in smuggling of cultural artefacts.

Culture Minister Ambika Soni told mediapersons that a bill with scores of new amendments to the innocuous Act had already been drafted.

''The bill is likely to be introduced in the current session of Parliament itself after getting cabinet approval,'' she said.

Ms Soni said smuggling of artefacts was taking place because a large number of historical monuments continued to be unprotected, making it easier for anti-social elements to make a business out of it.

In this context, she said she would write to the diplomatic missions abroad to unearth stolen Indian antiquities kept in museums and other places.

''We are keen to bring back the stolen antiquities to the country,'' she said, pointing out that India was a signatory to International Convention for restoration of antiquities.

She said her ministry already had a few rounds of discussion with the CBI and various other ministries with regard to the provisions of the propsed law.

She said the new law would make punishment stringent for those who fail to register the antiquities under their possession with the government.

Ms Soni said except for the antiquities that are registered or kept in some museums, there was little or no information about them.

In addition, there was lack of public awareness about the law which is responsible for the increasing trend of illicit trafficking of antiquities from India in the international market.

The Minister said a bill seeking to set up the National Heritage Sites Commission would also be brought up before the cabinet soon.

She said the Commission would advise the government on policy matters on conservation of monuments and antiquities.

Ms Soni, who earlier in the day launched a National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities, said this commission would work in tandem with the mission, which is appointed for a five-year-period to create data bank on the country's built heritage.

UNI