Raj govt to strengthen law to protect ancient relics

Jaipur, Apr 26: Those who deface and destroy ancient monuments and archeological sites in Rajasthan may have to face imprisonment up to 3 years and penalty up to Rs one lakh.

The Council of Ministers headed by Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje has decided to amend Rajasthan Monuments and Places of Archaeological Importance Act 1961 to ensure more effective preservation of such monuments.

Parliamentary Affairs minister Rajendra Rathore said the Cabinet wanted to make punitive provisions of imprisonment up to 3 years and penalty up to Rs one lakh for those who will be responsible for damaging monuments or places of heritage.

He said earlier the punishment for such acts included six months imprisonment and a penalty of up to Rs 5, 000.

In the same way, those who mine or carry out explosion in protected areas would be fined Rs 5, 000 instead of the earlier Rs 200.

Person, if found guilty of carrying out illegal construction, would be fined Rs 3, 000 and those who enter prohibited areas would have to pay Rs 3, 000.

Mr Rathore said, for flouting no.3 of Section 26 of this Act, a person would get three years imprisonment or fine of up to Rs one lakh or both.

For displacing or stealing ancient relics, a person would be fined Rs 15,000 and those who violate the provisions of the Act may be fined Rs one lakh.

UNI