State Heritage Commission empowered with independent functioning

Kolkata, Jul 3 (UNI) Empowering the West Bengal Heritage Commission with independent functioning, The West Bengal Heritage Commission (Amendment) Bill 2007 was passed in the State Assembly today.

Moving the bill, state Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sailen Sarkar said the bill would delegate powers to the West Bengal Heritage Commission so that it could work independently in considering the necessity of protecting monuments of heritage importance.

Mr Sarkar said the bill would also omit the provision relating to eligibility for re-appointment of Chairperson or member of the Commission.

Earlier, criticising the bill, senior Trinamul Congress leader Saugata Roy demanded that members of the House should be included in the Commission.

Mr Roy said the state government should inform how many buildings have been identified as heritage buildings and steps taken to renovate them.

He said a comprehensive list of heritage buildings of the state should be made.

UNI